Used MG4 for sale: everything you need to know

MG has been doing good business in recent years making sensible family cars and selling them for a sensible price. But the MG4 launched in 2022 is the first car since the brand’s former life building roadsters and sports saloons to really make people sit up and take notice.

That’s because it’s one of the more affordable family-sized electric cars on the market, but also one with a decent range and even more surprisingly, an engaging driving experience. In fact, it’s made cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 look a bit overpriced and dull to drive - not bad from a brand that hasn’t always had an easy ride in the market.

To get an EV of similar size that’s similarly fun to drive you’re looking at the Cupra Born. A Citroen e-C4 or Peugeot e-2008 is more stylish and feels more plush but new or used don’t quite match the MG4 for value, or driving experience for that matter.

Should you buy an MG4?

We gave the MG4 nine out of ten in our full review, so you can probably guess what we’re going to say here. The MG4 is a genuinely impressive electric family car that happens to be pretty well priced as a brand new vehicle - and that means that MG4s only a year or two old are already dropping to tempting prices on the used market too.

The MG4 is essentially a Ford Focus-sized hatchback designed as an EV from the word go. So while it’s a little taller than a conventional family car, with the battery slung underneath, it’s still a convenient size and still feels reasonably roomy, if not as expansive as say, a Volkswagen ID.3 inside. The relatively short length means the boot isn’t class-leading either but again, still perfectly usable.

The exterior styling is a little odd from some angles - it’s more striking than chic, we’d say - and the same can be said of the interior, which feels modern but not as warm and inviting as some. Forward visibility is great though and it’s comfortable. The touchscreen could be easier to use, but the driver’s display is easy to interpret at a glance.

It’s the way the MG4 drives though which helps it stand out. The handling is agile and the car feels well balanced, while the accurate steering allows you to make the most of its grip and agility. The ride has a firm edge but it’s far from uncomfortable. Throw in strong performance in all models, and pretty decent range (especially for the price) and it’s a strong package.

Alongside the MG4, the Volkswagen ID.3 seems a bit expensive and not nearly as good to drive, though its cabin is a bit more inviting, despite its own touchscreen issues. A Cupra Born gets closer to the MG4’s handling, and while it’s more expensive, the Renault Megane E-Tech matches MG4 Long Range models for range, and is much more stylish and quality-feeling inside and out.

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What’s the best used MG4 model to buy?

There’s not really a bad choices here. Even at its most basic the MG4 is both well equipped and has a reasonable 200-mile-plus quoted range - it’ll likely be a little less in the real world and in cold weather, but it’ll also be the most affordable on the used market. That said, you’re most likely to find Long Range models on the market, and there’s only a small difference in range between SE and Trophy spec here.

SE is the value proposition without feeling meanly equipped, but Trophy gets a few sporty exterior touches and desirable features such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel, so it’s the one we’d be tempted by. And while the idea of the XPower’s seriously impressive performance is nice, it’s not actually much more fun to drive than the regular car and takes a real range hit, so we’d avoid it.

Used MG4 range and performance

• MG4: In standard form the MG4 gets a single motor at the rear axle, producing 170PS. That’s enough power for a 7.7-second 0-62mph time, while the 50.8kWh of usable battery capacity delivers a claimed range of 218 miles. A 10-80% charge at 150kW DC is 39 minutes.
• MG4 Long Range: Long Range models get a larger 61.7kWh battery pack and more powerful 203PS rear motor. Range grows to 281 miles in the SE and 270 miles in the Trophy (with a 10-80% top up in 35 minutes at 150kW), while both get from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds.
• MG4 Extended Range: Extended Range means a 74.4kWh battery pack, but also a 245PS motor. It’ll do a claimed 323 miles on a charge and top up from 10-80% in 39 minutes, while the extra power means a 6.5-second 0-62mph run.
• MG4 XPower: XPower models get dual motors, for all-wheel drive and a combined output of 435PS. The battery meanwhile comes from the Long Range model. Range drops to the second lowest of the bunch, at 239 miles, but it’s nearly supercar-quick off the mark, with a 3.8-second 0-62mph time.

What used MG4 trim levels are available?

If choosing a battery size is a little confusing then the MG4’s trim lineup has been pretty straightforward so far, with two grades in the main range, SE and the sportier Trophy, and the hot XPower at the top of the range. All are pretty well-equipped and it’s worth pointing out that the Trophy is the only trim to offer the biggest Extended Range battery so far, so it’s the one to keep an eye out for on the used market.

• The MG4 SE gets a choice of standard or Long Range batteries, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7-inch driver display and 10.25-inch central touchscreen, rear parking sensors, some assisted driving functionality, and Vehicle to Load technology, so you can power gadgets and appliances using the car’s battery.
• The MG4 Trophy comes in Long and Extended Range formats, and is distinguished by a twin rear spoiler and rear privacy glass. Other equipment includes a 360-degree parking view, artificial leather upholstery, heated front seats and steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, several extra driver assistance features including blind spot detection and lane change assist, while Extended Range models get a two-tone roof.
• The MG4 XPower gets a matte green paint hue not available on other MG4s, plus 18-inch alloys, uprated brakes with orange calipers, Alcantara trim, metal pedals, launch control, and a track mode for the display screens.

Used MG4 dimensions and boot size

The MG4’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4287mm
• Width: 1836mm (without mirrors), 2060mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1504mm (SE), 1516mm (Trophy, XPower)

The MG4’s boot size is:

• 363 litres
• 1177 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof, 1165 litres Trophy/XPower)

Used MG4 road tax

All variants of the MG4, however far they go on a charge or however much power they make, are currently free to tax under the government’s current VED system. This is likely to change in the future but for now it’s one fewer cost to deal with.

How much is it to insure an MG4?

As we’ve come to expect even from modestly priced EVs, insurance costs are one area where they aren’t quite as affordable as combustion vehicles. The MG4 starts in group 27 for a standard range SE, and while even the regular car is pretty brisk, that’s still quite high - a Volkswagen Golf begins in group 14. A Long Range Trophy is group 29, while the XPower is up in group 40.

Read our full MG4 review