Used MG5 2020-2025 review
The MG5 is spacious and well-equipped, while a decent range boosts appeal. It's good value used, too.
See used cars for sale
Electric
Estate
Large Electric
Jump to:
What's the used MG MG5 like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
George Hill
Updated: 25 March 2026
How we test cars
What's the used MG MG5 like?
If you fancy a spacious and practical estate car that's also electric and a cheap used buy, your options are limited. However, the MG5 is one of the few.
Indeed, the MG5 was one of the first electric estate cars on sale. It arrived in 2020, while close rivals, such as the Peugeot e-308 SW, Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric and Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer, arrived much later.
Overview
If you’re after an electric car with a decent range, enough room for a family and a high level of standard kit, the MG5 could be the model for you. It's cheaper than the Peugeot e-308 SW and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric on the used market, but MG's reliability record remains a concern, despite a good result from the MG5 in our reliability survey.
Pros
- Decent range for this class
- Good value for money used
- Quite comfy inside
Cons
- Infotainment is fiddly to use
- Charging speeds not the quickest
- MG's reliability record
Used cars available now
In partnership with
MG MG5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£7,995
MG MG5
52.5kWh Exclusive Auto 5dr
£8,495
MG 5
61.1kWh Exclusive Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,590
MG 5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,600
MG MG5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,700
MG MG5
52.5kWh Exclusive Auto 5dr
£8,800
MG 5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,800
MG MG5
61.1kWh Exclusive Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,990
MG 5 EV
61.1kWh Exclusive Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,995
See all available cars
See used cars for sale
Power and performance: The entry-level MG5 is powered by a 154bhp electric motor and a 52kWh battery that delivers an official (WLTP) range of 214 miles. It's a surprisingly potent car, with 0-62mph taking 7.7sec officially.
For a longer range, the aptly named Long Range version boosts the official range of 250 miles, thanks to a bigger battery. It's powered by the same 154bhp electric motor as the regular model, so performance is similar.
With the MG5 Long Range, the range is similar to what the Astra Electric Sports Tourer Electric and e-308 SW can do officially, but the ID 7 Tourer can go much farther. Alternatively, take a look at the big battery versions of the MG4, MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric or VW ID 3.
advertisment
scroll for more
Trims and equipment: Entry-level Excite trim is generously equipped, with 16in alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, air-con, front and rear electric windows, adaptive cruise control, a faux-leather steering wheel and an 8.0in touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Exclusive trim adds leather seats (heated in the front), an electrically adjustable driver's seat, driver's seat lumbar support, automatic windscreen wipers and silver roof rails. On facelift cars, these trims were updated to SE and Trophy.
Ride and handling: On the road, the MG5 is a handsome performer. The 0-62mph sprint time of 7.7sec is quick for electric cars in this price range, and it's relaxing to drive too. As a softly sprung car, it soothes away most road imperfections around town and is settled on motorways.
It's better controlled than the ZS EV and the firmer ID.3, and is not far off matching the e-208, which is one of the best-riding small electric cars. It also handles better than the taller ZS EV and has precise steering, sensible grip levels and reasonable suspension control over bumpy roads. However, the '5' does lean more in corners than the more lithe ID.3 and MG4, and the fun-to-drive MX-30.
advertisment
scroll for more
It's pretty quiet, too. There's much less wind noise than in the ZS EV, and less road rumble than in the ID.3, but the Citroën e-C4 and e-208 are both better, and the MX-30 is slightly quieter.
Interior and practicality: SE trim gives the MG5 six-way manual adjustment and adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat, while Trophy trim adds electric adjustment. With the height and reach adjustable steering wheel and soft seat cushions, most people should be able to get pretty comfortable on a long trip. The steering wheel in the Nissan Leaf moves up and down only.
The MG5's digital instrument panel is bright and clear, and shows a variety of information, with easy-to-use controls on the steering wheel. Just don’t expect the sort of exciting 3D graphics you get with the digital dials in the e-308 SW. On the plus side, it's easier to work the 5's dashboard controls because of the big, clear buttons, which are much better than the e-208's fiddly touch-sensitive controls.
There's more glass area and narrower windscreen pillars than in the e-208, so from behind the wheel, forward visibility is better in the 5. The rising side window line and chunky rear pillars do limit your over-the-shoulder visibility a little, but it's far from the hardest car to reverse. All models get rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, but not front sensors. Range-topping Trophy gets a 360-degree camera.
advertisment
scroll for more
The 8.0in touchscreen, which is 10.25in on facelift models, is mounted high up on the dashboard and the home screen icons are usefully big. There are physical shortcut buttons below the screen to make swapping between menus easier, plus pre-facelift cars get physical climate controls.
On the downside, you do have to prod the screen quite hard to get it to respond, and even then it’s sometimes hesitant. It's also frustrating the climate controls are hidden in the touchscreen on facelift models, and it’s annoying that you can’t change the temperature without leaving your chosen nav or media screen. It's a bit distracting to do while driving.
All MG5s have lots of kit, though, including a DAB radio, Bluetooth, built-in sat-nav, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring. There's even a six-speaker surround-sound stereo.
This may be a relatively cheap car used but it's more appealing inside than the Leaf. There’s a surprising amount of soft-touch material – even compared with the much pricier VW ID.3 – and chrome and piano-black trims improve the ambience further.
advertisment
scroll for more
By the standards of smaller rival electric cars, the MG5 is rather spacious. There’s plenty of head and leg room in the front for tall adults, and it’s pretty wide, so they won’t be clashing elbows on the central armrest.
The front door bins are usefully big and there’s storage under that central armrest, but the shelf in front of the rotary gear selector is a bit small. You’ll probably end up sticking your phone in a cupholder instead.
Rear space is more generous than in a lot of the rivals, from the Honda E and Mini Electric to cars such as the Peugeot e-208 and Renault Zoe. There's certainly enough head and leg room for a couple of six-footers to fit, even when the front seats are slid back.
Boot capacity is slightly down on the MG ZS EV and significantly less than the Ford Focus Estate and Skoda Octavia Estate. That said, the space on offer in the 5 is comparable with the Kia Ceed Sportswagon PHEV and the big-booted Nissan Leaf, so family accoutrements such as a large baby buggy should fit. At least the MG5 has a flat rear floor to make seating three in the back a bit easier.
advertisment
scroll for more
Facelift: In mid-2022, MG gave the MG5 a facelift. It included a significant styling update at the front end, replacing the faux-grille with a sharper, cleaner nose. Elsewhere, the interior saw the addition of a new 10.25in touchscreen with an updated infotainment system, while standard Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging, revised 17in alloy wheels and an improved 360-deg parking camera were added to the rest of the car.
All the latest deals, offers and much more from the What Car? team. Don't miss out.
See our full privacy notice for more details.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.
"I prefer the looks of the later MG5s, but no matter the age or looks, it makes a surprisingly good family car because it's so spacious in the back." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
If you're interested in finding a used MG5, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
Tips & Advice
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used MG MG5 will I get for my budget?
Used prices for the MG5 start from around £7000 for an early pre-facelift car with high mileage. For a car of a similar vintage with low mileage, look to spend upwards of £8000, while a budget of at least £11,000 will get you a facelift model from 2022 or 2023. For a 2024 car, have a budget of at least £15,000 at the ready. Cars from 2025 are limited in number, but these start from £16,000.
advertisment
scroll for more
To keep up to date with used MG5 prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Check the value of a used MG5 with What Car? Valuations
How much does cost to run a MG MG5?
Charging
Charging times vary greatly depending on what you’re plugged into, but the quoted maximum charging speed is 87kW. A 10-80% top-up from a rapid CCS charger should take about an hour at 50kW or just over 40 minutes if you can find a 100kW charger. From a 7kW wall box, 0-100% takes more than nine hours, while a three-pin plug requires 29 hours.
Road tax
Electric car owners enjoy not having to pay any annual car tax (VED), and also escape the surcharge for vehicles that cost over £40,000 when new. You can find out more about the current road tax costs here.
Servicing
There are service plans available for you to spread the cost or pay for future servicing in one go. Electric vehicle servicing should be less expensive than regular petrol and diesel cars because there's no engine oil to change.
advertisment
scroll for more
All examples will need to be serviced annually, but for cars registered in 2021, MG has the option of a low mileage, 10,000-mile check-up, rather than the 15,000 miles interval of the standard policy.
Reliability
The MG5 is a dependable electric estate that performs well in the real world, according to feedback from owners in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey. While the car is largely robust, some drivers reported minor electrical "niggles" and occasional glitches with the infotainment system. Most concerns centred on the dealer experience rather than the car itself, with some owners facing repair delays due to parts shortages despite the peace of mind offered by the seven-year warranty.
To find out more about used MG5 reliability, head to our dedicated reliability page.
Tips & Advice
How much does it cost to charge an EV
A dual-rate tariff can slash your home-charging bills by up to 70% if you charge overnight. There are environmental benefits, too
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Charging an EV at home
You can charge your EV from a three-pin socket, but a home EV charger is faster and more convenient. Here are the best
Do I need to use public EV chargers?
Charging at home is almost always cheaper, but if you need a quick top-up, we have revealed the best charging networks
Our recommendations
Which used MG MG5 should I buy?
Motor and battery
Prices for the regular and Long Range versions of the MG5 are similar, so it's the latter we'd go for.
advertisment
scroll for more
Trim
Exclusive cars come with more luxuries than Excite models, yet used prices are similar. Pre-facelift examples are generally cheaper, too.
Our favourite MG5: Exclusive Long Range
Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used MG MG5?
As we've already mentioned, electric estate cars are limited in number. However, there are a few you can choose from.
The Peugeot e-308 SW is a comfortable and stylish electric estate with a plush interior. It's reasonably practical, too. While it's not quite as accommodating as the MG5 in the back seats, it does have a bigger boot. Reliability is good, but it is more expensive than the MG5.
The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric is based on the same underpinnings as the e-308 SW, which means they're almost identical when it comes to space and practicality. It's similarly comfortable to drive, too, while the interior is slightly more user-friendly, thanks to more physical controls. It's not quite as plush as the MG5 and e-308 SW inside, though. Prices are a little less than the e-308 SW, but more than the MG5.
advertisment
scroll for more
If you're looking specifically for an electric SUV try the Hyundai Kona Electric. It's a fair bit pricier, but then it does go an awful lot further on a charge and is better to drive.
The most obvious alternative to the Kona Electric is the closely related Kia e-Niro. It's slightly larger and has an equally impressive kit list, but also has a more practical and spacious interior. It's also better to drive with a more settled ride.
If you're interested in finding a used MG5, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
How reliable is the MG MG5 ?
Reliability rating: 94.1%
MG MG5
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
MG MG5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£7,995
MG MG5
52.5kWh Exclusive Auto 5dr
£8,495
MG 5
61.1kWh Exclusive Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,590
MG 5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,600
MG MG5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,700
MG MG5
52.5kWh Exclusive Auto 5dr
£8,800
MG 5
61.1kWh Excite Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,800
MG MG5
61.1kWh Exclusive Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,990
MG 5 EV
61.1kWh Exclusive Long Range Auto 5dr
£8,995
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: George Hill
Title: Used car writer
Follow George Hill on
George Hill first joined the What Car? team as a staff writer in 2021, before becoming a used car writer in 2024 and a reviewer in 2026. In his current role he writes new car reviews for What Car? magazine and whatcar.com.
If you follow What Car? on social media, you might see him presenting the odd video on new cars too.
News and advice
Sponsored
What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable car brands
Revealed: the car manufacturers most and least likely to keep you out of trouble, according to the experiences of readers who took part in our latest Reliability Survey
Sun Oct 11 2026
Sponsored
Best used electric cars
Electric cars can be expensive, but if you buy used you don’t need to spend a fortune. Here we list our top 10 favourites, from urban runarounds to luxury SUVs
Sat Sep 5 2026
Sponsored
Best used electric cars for less than £15,000 – cheap EVs reviewed and rated
A brand new Dacia Spring electric car costs just £15,000, but what could you buy on the used market for the same money? Here's our top 10
Thu Jul 30 2026
Sponsored
What Car? Reliability Survey: Most and least reliable electric cars
In our annual Reliability Survey, we ask readers to rate the dependability of cars aged up to five years old. Here we list the most and least reliable electric cars in the UK
Mon Jun 1 2026
See all latest advice