MG HS Plug-In running costs & insurance
Insurance groups are on the high side, but a long warranty and low company-car tax rates ensure the HS Plug-In will keep the majority of your motoring bills in check
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | 2021/22 company-car tax cost (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27-28 | 7yrs / 80,000 miles | 1yr / 15,000 miles | From £661 / £1,322 |
Low running costs are pretty much the sole reason plug-in hybrid cars like the HS exist, so it has to pass muster here. And while its numbers are not head-and-shoulders above those of the competition in every regard, they're respectable enough. Plus, a relatively affordable list price and reasonable monthly finance payments mean the HS Plug-In holds some appeal for private buyers, as well as the company-car users who usually make up the bulk of plug-in hybrid drivers.
MG HS Plug-In insurance group
The HS Plug-In's insurance group varies slightly depending on what trim level you go for. Entry-level Excite is in group 27, while the range-topping Exclusive falls into group 28. That's a good bit more than both the Kia Niro PHEV's group 14 rating and the group 21 categorisation of the Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid.
Warranty
MG's warranty is one of the best in the business, running for seven years from the date of first registration. Higher-mileage drivers may not get the full benefit of that, however, as there is an overall 80,000-mile cap on the cover. Kia, by contrast, covers its cars for up to 100,000 miles or seven years, while Hyundai puts no mileage limit on its five-year guarantee.
Servicing
MG recommends the HS Plug-In visits the dealer for maintenance once a year or every 15,000 miles – whichever comes first. The brand offers pay-monthly service plans to spread the cost: a representative example covering 10,000 miles a year in a HS Plug-In costs around £25 per month at the time of writing.
Road tax
As this is an 'alternatively fuelled vehicle' in the eyes of the government, the UK road-tax rate is £145 – a £10 discount on the normal annual amount of £155. Even in top-spec Exclusive from, the HS Plug-In doesn't approach the £40,000 threshold after which you have to pay an extra £335 a year the first five times you tax it.
Depreciation
According to August 2021 data from CDL Vehicle Information Services (CDL VIS), the MG HS should retain just under 50% of its new value after three years or 36,000 miles on the road, in both Excite and Exclusive trim levels.
