2019 MG ZS EV Exclusive: One Year Ownership Report with Richard Jackson

Back in July 2019, I was invited to the press launch of the new MG ZS EV as a guest of the Planet Auto KZbin channel. The walkaround I filmed there on my old mobile phone which took just ten minutes (and is not edited) became the most successful video on my channel by far: • 2019 MG ZS EV Exclusiv...
A couple of months later, one of my old friends from primary school (!) Richard Jackson offered me the chance to film his own MG ZS EV Exclusive, which was the first ZS EV delivered to a customer in the country. The subsequent episode of Tweed Jacket Reviews then became the most popular review on my channel ever! • Tweed Jacket Reviews: ...
Now, one year after he took delivery, I visited Mr Jackson at one of our Tweed Jacket Reviews filming locations, North Mymms Park near Welham Green in Hertfordshire, where I asked him about his ownership experience. With terrible editing and genuine music from Laurie Johnson, here is the sequel to these immensely popular videos. Nothing untoward, then!
As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
Facebook: / lloydvehicleconsulting

[@tonychallinor6721]

Excellent review - thanks both. I'm 2 months in with mine - 3k already and loving it.

[@tonychallinor6721]

Oh and the comfort update takes away all of the negatives! No more bongs

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Fantastic! Looks as if you are in for a very pleasant ownership experience too.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I heard that the bong removal is very useful indeed....

[@rishiramgautam]

I'm planning to by MG EV. This video gave me more confidence on my decision. I"m now 99% sure i won't regret after having MG EV. Ground clearance might be not enough for off road. Thank you so much.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, there is hill descent control, but no four wheel drive or anything like that. If you want to see more, click the link in the description to the episode of Tweed Jacket Reviews we made last year on this car. I don't think you would be disappointed if you went for this one.

[@tooflesstesla]

Wonderful informative video! I really really like this car for its price point. I drove it for a week in Australia and loved it; apart from some of the software niggles and satnav mistakes. As a Tesla owner, I think the MG ZS EV is value-for-money and has features that even my Model S does not have such as the blindspot indicators on the wing mirrors, great all-round visibility, heated seats, and rear window wiper. Also, the 7-year full warranty is fantastic! I consider the MG ZS EV to be an ideal second EV for me; and I also recommend it to anyone who is considering an affordable family EV.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting! This is a very old video now, it would be done differently if I were to record it in 2022. I actually did a walkaround of a facelifted one of these back in February, this version has now been superseded, but it is still a very good car.

[@tooflesstesla]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Thanks! Yes, due to the 7-year warranty there will still be plenty of these around. I will watch your other video on the facelift one (2022 model).

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@tooflesstesla , yes, this car has been a phenomenal success for MG Motor UK, their sales are massive these days in comparison with 2019.

[@mattsbeamer]

A very interesting video from a owners perspective. Oh mr Jackson looks like my half bro

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That is quite a coincidence, Mr Woollard! Yes, it is good to actually hear from the owner, who has much more experience than anyone else of what these are like. It was an enjoyable video to make too.

[@frem9225]

Thank you very much for this great 1 year video! I was wondering which brand/make/type is used for the rear interior light that works on solar? I have been looking for this on Amazon but can not find it. Thanks

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! Not sure about the rear interior light, Richard would know. It certainly makes a different at this time of year!

[@stanleyleopard6799]

Nice relaxed chat between two old friends and good to have input from an actual owner. Glad to hear that Richard is happy with the car. (He's good in front of the camera too, isn't he?) Slightly O/T, is the MG5 estate in your sights for a Tweed Jacket Review, Joseph?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, it was lovely, Mr Jackson is just as wonderful in real life as he is on camera! In some ways, I feel I should be letting him present my videos full time... Rather like with our MG3, the experience Richard has had with his car has been really good. Neither are perfect, but they are both excellent value for money and will cope very well with most people's daily duties. Yes sir, the MG5 EV is on the radar, don't worry!

[@thestilosify]

Great video very interesting watch. I'm looking forward to getting my new car on Monday and just wondering do you have the details or link for the rear solar interior light you fitted? Thank you in advance.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I don't know where Richard got the light, I am afraid, I will have to ask him for you. I hope that you enjoy your new car, these are brilliant. I have a full review of the car as part of the Tweed Jacket Reviews series we filmed a year ago (link in the description below). Thanks ever so much indeed for watching!

[@NicholasPaulFranks]

Good work, sir. Summit should be paying you surely!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh Mr Franks! You would have thought so, but it would affect the channel's independence if it were to happen.

[@NicholasPaulFranks]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting We wouldn’t that! 🚘

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@NicholasPaulFranks , indeed, sir!

[@anthonydevono8833]

I really fancy getting one I’ve owned various foreign brands Kia, Ssangyong suzuki etc just hoping that the monthly payment options become more sensible and hoping the Mg dealers are better than Ssangyong for warranty work

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they are doing a special offer on these at the moment, the monthly figures are surprisingly good. I have owned a 2014 MG3 and a SsangYong Tivoli and have found the dealers OK, although some are better than others. There is a link to a full review on this car we filmed a year ago in the video description if you wish to take a look.

[@frothe42]

Quite an informative video! I wonder if you know an owner of a Jaguar I-Pace as HubNut drove one on an 800 mile journey to Scotland. It would be interesting to see how a Jaguar owner likes his EV vehicle. And I must add that I thoroughly enjoy your channel even though I am in the US. Yesterday, I once again spotted a Triumph Stag and posted those pictures on my Instagram page, and this one had the convertible top up instead of the hardtop, and it was a 4 speed OD! Oh, and the vanity plate is LRDLUCAS!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I saw Ian Seabrook's massive road trip with the i-Pace. He has something of a hankering for electric cars going on in the background, as do I... I don't know anyone who owns one, though, sadly. Oh gosh, that is a crazy plate! Yes, I do like Stags, I should probably get one on the channel soon, shouldn't I?

[@frothe42]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Absolutely, if you can find a true Triumph Stag, especially with its original Triumph V8 engine! The one I spotted yesterday is most likely the one I spotted last year and earlier this year. I noticed it was originally from out west (Washington), and therefore almost faultless. I do know of a friend in the Midlands who owns an I-Pace, not sure if they still own it. They also put in their own charging port. I do know they live close to where they film Last Tango in Halifax, and I adore that programme! It is channels like yours that has me spotting such rare vehicles like the Triumph Stag 🦌, and posted the photos on my Instagram page!

[@frankdavis2316]

Nice interview, reinforces my own experience much curtailed by this Coronavirus, I am so pleased to own one. I Charge at home at around 2.5p a mile, low maintenance, ‘nippy’ Driving and near silent travelling? It’s a lot different to the First Car I owned, a 1932 Austin 7, back in 1956? I would suggest everyone tries a Test Drive in an EV, I think it will change their mind about ICE Cars from that moment.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thanks ever so much indeed for watching! Yes, having driven a couple of these, they are very, very good. Quite a difference between your first and current cars, then?

[@frankdavis2316]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting I bought the Austin for £10 but soon improved my situation with a 1935 Austin 10, what an improvement that was. I bought the ‘10’ for £25 after just missing a delightful Austin Ruby. I often see similar Cars going to a Rally and remember those days fondly, however, I know which era and Car I would sooner be in. My only regret is my age and I wonder what somebody like me will be Driving when he looks back 65 years and remembers his 20 year old MG EV he had as a kid?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@frankdavis2316 , I do wonder what will happen with the 20 year old electric vehicles out there at the moment. Will they go to the scrap heap, or will they last a bit longer?

[@frankdavis2316]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Is there such a thing as a Current 20 year old Electric Car out in the public domain at this time, not in any great numbers I think? I was referring to Cars from about 2015 when they are 20 years old. There will be plenty of those still around l’m sure, being driven by youngsters and people who have to watch ‘their pennies’? Car bodies are so much more durable nowadays than they were 50 years ago, Engines are so much simpler than ICE and who knows how long Batteries will last? 20 years is only 200,000 miles and by that time I feel sure replacements will be available and cheap if needed, however, I am convinced most Batteries will last 3 or 400,000 miles. In 20 years time EV’s will be everywhere and ICE Cars will be used by Nostalgics, the very ‘hard up’ and kids who like to make a lot of noise? The Fuel Industry will be very much contracted and Fuel will be much more expensive. Would that I could live another 20 years and watch it happen, I might have a Tesla to finish my days off in? We can only dream??

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@frankdavis2316 , yes! Having just filmed a 1982 Ford Capri 2.8 Injection today and looking at the areas which need attention on it, the average 2015 car, even if it is by no means as characterful, is certainly more durable in terms of the body. Plenty of electric ones were around by then too. I don't know what will happen to the electronics and software long time, as well as the batteries, but certainly 15 year old Priuses don't seem too bad, albeit many have had new battery packs put in at some stage. I suppose we will just have to monitor things on this very channel, if I can keep it going that long!

[@colinhicks4174]

Interesting video. I wonder if they will increase the range with further updates. MG has recently announced the HS plug in hybrid, priced between 29 & 32k. Would you be able to look at one of those as a comparison?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, possibly. I think the car is going in for between four and six updates. The HS plug-in hybrid was announced just under a year ago (in fact, I mentioned it in my HS walkaround in December 2019), and I definitely want to get my hands on it, don't worry!

[@therealunclevanya]

The MG EV Facebook page is a great source of information

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I think that Richard mentioned it in the video. Sounds like a great resource.

[@mug2y]

Great video gents, that solar light, does it stick on the sun roof or what ?, and does it have a name so I can search please.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you ever so much indeed for watching! I am pretty sure that Richard just found this on Amazon, not much more to it than that...

[@SalZam150]

Do anther video after the update if possible please. just to see what he thinks about it

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I am not sure I will be able to do so at the moment, but if you look in the comments below, another ZS EV owner has had the update done and it has been a very positive experience for him indeed!

[@SalZam150]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting okay I see thanks anyway :)

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

No problem at all!

[@trabali5168]

Hmmm........Kia Niro for me I think, but not a bad car in any way shape or form. (better MG customer service too by the looks of it)!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's much cheaper than an e-Niro, and I think it looks better, but an e-Niro is an astonishingly capable car. Yes, there is a reason why MG's sales just seem to keep on increasing!

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

‘Pre-facelift’?... I’m thinking you mean prototype?

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The facelift for the ZS EV is coming at some point, therefore this is a pre-facelift. Can't quite remember the context of what I was saying, though...

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

We can have these mg zs ev here in holland. I really want one. They are available here. But i don’t see any MG dealers ! Just nowhere. I think we can only order online...

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

Kia E-niro is to expensive, Hyundai kona not practical enough. So mg zs ev it is

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Maybe, not sure about that, sir! Glad you enjoyed this ownership report, I think it was the first one year ownership report of this car in existence.

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

I found a dealer! Here in Rotterdam. For 380 euro a month. 15.000 km max a year. Comfort model. Metalic black. Free charge cables.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@jdnrotterdam2150 , will that be sufficient for you? They should be charging me commission!

[@jdnrotterdam2150]

Yes i choose this car because I watch you channel! So mg must be very grateful to you

[@1d2a3d4d5i6o]

Please highlight this security point to new car buyers this model fails the Thatcham relay test so please use a Faraday bag at all times even when out shopping.relay theft is going through the roof.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It's more of a problem for models that thieves consider to be more desirable (Ford Focus STs, BMWs, Mercedes and Audis, etc), but I certainly take your point that this does not pass the Thatcham test.

[@grahamconnolly3241]

Thanks for replying, the problem is when all the other cars security is upgraded its the easy ones with cheap security that will get stolen the MG's 0-60 of 8 secs is not slow compared to a normal Fiesta. The fiesta ST does it in 7 secs.

[@Wombat57484]

Does a Faraday bag drain the key's battery at all?

[@grahamconnolly3241]

@@Wombat57484 Hello a Faraday is a cheap way for the manufacturers of keyless cars to cover themselves if your car is stolen, to cover the fact that the keyless entry security system can be easily hacked and the car stolen. Just google 'Keyless car crime'. a headline found 'Why YOUR keyless car could be gone in just 23 seconds:' A faraday bag does not use any power just shields the 'key' from being hacked.

[@grahamconnolly3241]

@@Wombat57484 Also the rise in stealing anything worth any money hence the rise in catalytic converters, also charging cables and I would not be surprised that due to the high cost of batteries around £10,000 per car electric vehicles will be next on the list. after all they are only held in place by around 16 -20 bolts and a couple of connectors.

[@steverichmond7142]

I bought an MG ZS EV in July 2020 on the strength of this review and others. In September 2020 I had a minor accident. It is now February 2021 and my car will not be repaired for 2 months. DO NOT TOUCH MG WITH A BARGE POLE.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Did you mean the review uploaded in October 2019? I am assuming so, as this ownership report wasn't uploaded until 30th September 2020. We had an MG3 ourselves for many years until February 2020 and didn't have any problems like that with it. I hope that you are able to get your ZS EV.

[@steverichmond7142]

I decided to buy one in December 2019, so it must have been October 2019.

[@ttbdrummer]

On earth possessed you to buy one?!

[@CaiSpidox]

Value for money to be fair. It's what there all about. They have come far from the MG6.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They are pretty good cars. In fact, this is my favourite EV. Richard was the first person to put a deposit down on a ZS EV in the country, he was that keen to get one.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I do like the MG6, but this is a pretty different proposition entirely. The value for money is very, very good indeed.

[@tuc-dh4df]

Are you ok?

[@ttbdrummer]

@@tuc-dh4df Yeah fine, I’m just having a Solero