Fault found during crash testing is now being addressed by maker.

CONCERN raised by an independent crash test auditor about the integrity of the driver’s seat in MG’s smallest car has led to the model being recalled for rectification.

MG Motor New Zealand is conducting a safety recall campaign for its MG3 compact hatch manufactured between 06 March 2024 and 30 July 2025.

It says 1207 cars are affected.

During Euro NCAP’s testing for the MG3 conducted earlier in 2025, the driver side seat slid forward by 111.5mm on the side closest to the centre console upon collision.

This movement may increase the risk of leg injuries in the event of a frontal impact.

MG Motor regionally said it is not aware of any incidents relating to the defect.

It seems probable the make is set to contact potentially affected owners directly.

The rectification requires a service centre fitting an additional component to the driver’s seat rail, the work at no charge. The job is estimated to take from 30 minutes up to one hour.

The issue with the seat was highlighted in September, ironically when auditor ANCAP raised the car’s safety score from three stars to four, though this just for product made in May and onward.

This was because those examples had updates of a centre airbag positioned between the two front row occupants, a driver monitoring system, and improved collision avoidance capability.

At that time, however, ANCAP highlighted that test result is had relied upon, from its European counterpart NCAP, had shown an issue with the seat.

During the frontal offset crash test – which simulates a head-on crash with another vehicle each travelling at 50kmh – the right-side adjuster of the driver’s seat failed, causing it to twist during the crash impact.

“This movement exacerbated the loads on the driver dummy’s right leg, and protection of that part of the body was rated as ‘poor’. The driver dummy’s head was also observed to ‘bottom out’ the airbag against the steering wheel, and head protection was scored as ‘adequate”.