by MG Electric Vehicle Safety Issues
Is there a serious problem with the controllability of MG cars? Against the backdrop of increased attention to the safety of Chinese electric vehicles, an alarming trend is observed – reports of technical problems often remain unresolved. Similar incidents are recorded both in China and Europe, and their number continues to grow.
Unpredictable Vehicle Behavior
For an MG5 owner in the UK, concern turned into a real threat. After an allegedly routine charging malfunction, his electric station wagon behaved as if it had a mind of its own. This story strikingly resembles a 2023 case with the MG ZS EV model, which also went out of control.
The MG5 owner reported that his car completely stopped responding to commands after charging at a service station. This forced him to call a roadside assistance service.
When the mechanic tried to put the car into reverse gear, it unexpectedly jerked forward sharply. As a result, the car collided with the assistance service van but continued to spin its wheels. The specialist was able to turn off the MG5 only from the outside, after which he declared the vehicle unsafe for operation.
Manufacturer’s Response
Despite the accident and repairs costing £2,500, which were paid for by the assistance service, MG conducted its own investigation, charging the owner an additional £500, and closed the case. After journalist intervention, the company conducted additional tests over 25 miles but again found no malfunctions in the vehicle’s systems, explaining the incident as an external error.
However, it should be noted that the company did not charge for the re-examination and canceled the previous invoice.
Similar Case with Another Model
In 2023, in Glasgow, a driver of an MG ZS EV lost braking function while traveling at a speed of 30 miles per hour. Brian Morrison, a 53-year-old driver, was forced to call emergency services when his car did not respond to attempts to stop. The police performed a controlled stop, ordering Morrison to crash into a police van.
During subsequent inspection, a technician found numerous errors in the diagnostic system and refused to start the car.
Consequences for Owners
Both drivers remained unharmed, but the events caused serious concern among electric vehicle owners, especially considering the growing dependence of modern vehicles on complex electronic systems.
Against the backdrop of rapidly growing MG sales in the UK, these cases highlight the need for transparency and prompt investigation when software or control errors in electric vehicles are suspected. The question of regulatory intervention in such situations is becoming increasingly relevant, as the safety of drivers and other road users must be a priority for all vehicle manufacturers, regardless of their origin or type of powertrain.
