Our EV Broke Down 

Has anyone experienced anything like this?

I have had my MG5 for 18 months now and I have learned the hard way what to do with charging faults. Firstly, when you pull up to the charger you have to plug in, then lock the car then press charge. If you dont do it in that order the car wont charge. Also when charging quite often if you are sitting with the engine on the 12v battery goes from its normal 14v down to 12.1. If you then unplug the HV charger the car will refuse to start. The way to fix this is to switch off everything and leave it locked for at least 10 mins. I have called the AA twice now only to discover that the car resets itself and always works for me after that. I still think it is a great car just need to do things by the book.

I haven't got an EV yet but I really like and value these 'real life' experiences and the various responses in the comments section so that I can 'pre learn'. (from Australia, thanks)

So sorry this happened for you. What a hassle. Hope things go more smoothly from now on. Thanks so much for your videos. It's very refreshing to watch some EV content that doesn't imply you need a PhD in electronics to get behind the wheel. Thanks again!

Something that is worth doing with this kind of issue is that when you disconnect the negative battery terminal, is to connect it to the positive cable (I have made a short link wire from an old set of jump leads) what this does is fully discharge all the electrical components and you ‘hard reset’ the car’s modules. It’s a trick I used before retiring from the motor trade. The other thing, besides keeping a 10mm spanner in the boot, get yourself a battery jump pack so you can be sure the 12v is not causing you issues. I drive the MG5 and while I’ve only once had an issue, I was able to get myself sorted.

I wouldn’t disconnect and reconnect a CCS as quickly as you did in the video. An EV goes through a handshake process which takes a while. Might not be the reason this happened on this occasion, but could trigger error messages. I’d leave it 30 seconds before plugging back in

well done for your ‘warts and all’approach

Thanks very much for taking the time and trouble to make this very clear video. The content was really useful and could save a lot of stress - eg. if having no idea where to start troubleshooting in a similar situation

Over forty years of driving used vehicles,and been stranded only twice.Modern cars just too complicated.

Yeah this is a concern for sure. I was under the impression from the MG forum that it was mainly the ZS that was affected but obviously not. I don't usually drive far, so I don't generally use rapid chargers (just did it once locally to prove it worked), but if I used them regularly I'd definitely be looking at getting one of those OBD things.

I’m thinking about moving to an EV, and this is an interesting video. It won’t put me off switching to EV because the number of times I’ve been stuck because my ICE car won’t start, has flattened its battery, etc, etc. That’s why I have AA membership (though to be fair, I haven’t used it for about 15 years).

James and Kate's youtube channel had this happen while he was in Scotland on one of his trips. His would not charge and he did something off cam to get it working. Send them a message he may tell you what went wrong.

I had a similar problem with a ZS EV.After much investigation it was water/corrosion in a plug on the HV side.It was also discharging the 12v battery.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who brought an MG5 on the 30th of December 22 I’ve had it 17 days at my home address it came up with system error when I tried to start it called out the AA sent out an appointed garage the guy wasn’t allowed to touch it because it’s under warranty and didn’t know anything about electric cars anyway cut a long story short the garage have had it for 23 days now I’ve only owned it for 17 days we’ve now asked for a full refund and I’m now purchasing a electric Vauxhall mocha the problem is OMG can’t find out what the problem is

I'd say time to contact cleevely just to be sure.

Thanks! Sorry you had this problem, but getting an OBD reader is a good idea. Could you let us know which one you buy and how well it works?

A very common fault is the 12v DC battery being too low in voltage to operate the systems properly. That can sometimes cause the 'handshake' with a Rapid to fail as well. And if the 12v is then drained even further it will lock down. Many people carry a small jump booster that can be used to start an EV in these circumstances. But the car's 12v battery will then also need a long session on a smart charger to condition and repair any issues and go on to fully charge it.

Great that the AA came managed to get the problem eradicated, but really feel that MG should supply you with the computer to reset the system if this should arise again in the future and not have to fork out more money on a new vehicle.

As an EV owner I’m enjoying your videos. Maybe I missed it, but would like to hear why (having had your Honda Jazz written off) you chose to buy an EV and why the MG5? Did you look at other EV’s before deciding on MG5?

MG need to sort out this software issue!

It’s a circuit (or many circuits) so removing one hattery cable is enough… the car should always have a way of recovering from these kind of faults without resorting to an OBD dongle. It seems like a CCS protocol thing but may also be related to a low 12V battery and be ause the HV battery is disconnected it can’t recharge the LV battery or it won’t because the HV battery has gone below the threshold for recharging the LV battery. I think a cheap jumpstarter might have got it going.

I have an OBD device (hard wired with it's own screen) as my diesel needs a bit of a hand sometimes. Great devices. I do have a small Bluetooth variant, but when I needed to work it was a pain as the phone could be a bit funny. The cable to screen variant removes another point of failure - in my opinion.

Wenever this happens try and find another rapid charger and try another charge. Even with the fault displaying. Try a AC charging too instead of CCS to atleast get more range.

Wow not a good advert for the MG, good job your a very patient man.

Watched on subtitles so might have missed this, but have you had the recent software updates applied to help with charger compatibility? If not, book the car in as it may prevent this happening again. Should be a free update 👍

How can you even be so calm? Imagine being stuck in a place you don't know, or having hunted for charger in a completely out of the way location and then had this happen? Hours stuck, not being able to do anything! If this is the future, they can shove it - EV's are most definately NOT ready for mass adoption - there's a LOT of refinement that still needs doing.

This looks like a common fault similar to what happens with the Nissan Leaf (new shape 40&62kwh) when the 12v battery is low on charger. Most of us carry a booster pack to solve the problem. Could be the same thing.

Won't be getting one of them then.

This is a software issue. Get your dealer to upgrade the software. Just like any other computer! Had this on my 5 and it's fixed now.

Intresting angle of EV ownership.. Car has become too clever for its own good like any computer... Owning a good cheap OBD is handy as I have had issues on ICE cars and managed to temporarily clear codes to get home and be able to permanently sort the problem. The main take being it saves loads of time waiting on the AA last time I called them on the Motorway Services at 5am and they showed up after 8am

Did anyone manage to find a suitable obd2 plug in tool that will successfully read and delete the code it flashed up? There seems to be a common occurrence here with MG5 model too. Not all readers work though !

This happened with our MG ZS EV. AA came and boosted the 12V battery, cleared the codes to no effect. Relayed back to the MG garage. MG Garage could not tell me how they cured it!?

Hi I had similar experience as yourself last year with my Skoda Citigo IVe Tried to charge on a 50 kw Swarco public charger. The car didn’t like it for some reason and just threw up fault code Charging error. Couldn’t move or do anything. I disconnected the 12 v battery still didn’t work. Called the AA they come and plugged in an OBD reader and cleared the fault. Which the car then worked fine. I booked it into a VW garage to check the car out and they found nothing amiss. Hasn’t happened again thankfully. I’ve considered getting my Own OBD but I’ve noticed that they are not all compatible with EVs. Be good to know what OBD reader you eventually get

The more I see these type of issues wih EV, the more I appreciate the internal combustion engine. And especially the diesel engine.

Another excellent and relevant video! I've had all the error messages scroll on 2 occasions, but I have cautiously driven off and they have cleared. This is quite different and a bit of a worry. So far I have had no problems with my MG5 LR apart from the infotainment screen going blank a few times on a long journey when stopping and starting the car cleared it (satnav and music still worked while it was blank). I also carry a 10mm spanner for battery disconnection, so it's disappointing to see that this didn't work. It does seem that an OBD device would be a worthwhile investment, but which one will work best with the MG5? I'm waiting with baited breath to see your solution!! Have you contacted James Coates by any chance?

SAIC needs to work on their software. Starting from the SLOW infotainment to ironing out bugs and removing some annoying "features".

I Loved Kids comment about being late for School, "we'll Run".

I don't know whether it would have made any difference but your 12 volt battery was flat. The screen was showing 12.1 volts which is basically flat. A weak 12 volt battery and low voltage will trigger all sorts of error codes. Going by very common 12 volt battery issues either a lithium or lead acid 12 volt jump pack might be a good thing to keep in the car.

Good vid as I am new to EV's too

Car broken down after 2500 miles 🤣🤣🤣 future of EV 🤣

Looks like the 12v battery is low, should be closer to 14v. I had a load of warnings on my ZS EV the other week and it was due to a momentary drop in the 12v. I'm currently sitting at 13v and haven't had any issues since.

Having a little experience with old British sports cars, the idea of an MG EV is both funny and terrifying. But honestly, I wish they were available in America.

What is going on? New diesels with the Add Blue and DPF are becoming rubbish after a few years with all the faults.We can't trust an E.V.So stick to a simple petrol engine with no turbo and take care of it.

My Kia Niro PHEV went epileptic somewhat like this one morning caused by a bad 12V battery. After road assistance got the car started it took a day until the last error message cleared itself. Perhaps the MG tries to to be on the safe side and not let you drive on certain fault codes?

It is events like this that would stop me from ever buying a Chinese MG car. My son had one of their last attempts in the UK, their MGZS Diesel; it failed its first MOT on emissions, and the local dealer struggled to get it through, telling my son that there was no way it would pass the following year's more stringent test. Sure enough, it failed even more drastically the following year; and nothing the dealership did could get it to pass, so at 4 y/o, my son's MG was effectively a write-off. MG took NO responsibility for the car, and my son now drives an ancient Ford Focus. Car reviewers are very quick to praise new cars, but somehow, year after year., decade after decade, fail to take notice of a brand's poor reliability, I wonder if the constant sponsorships from the car industry have anything to do with that? TBF, it isnt just MG, I am currently in a newish courtesy car from a major Japanese brand - another COTY winner; with less than 9,000 miles on the clock, the passenger sunblind has fallen out, the rear suspension sounds like it is also falling out, the engine rattles, the auto box has a mind of its own, and in the last few days it has restarted itself 3 times, after I had switched the ignition off. I cant wait to get my Kia back.

I would ask MG if they will give you a free code reader you will need one I am sure the same thing will happen !

So the moral of the story is a cliche: you get what you pay for...

I had a similar problem but my car cleared the fault before the AA man arrived he to was very plesent and just checked my car but could not see any problem with it

Garbage cars. The main screen will fail next. Horrid quality.

Oh how i love my diesel

My mg dealer just said this doesn’t happen any more since an update. Let me know if you know any different

I never even try to use chargers that require an app none seem ever to work, I will only use a Gridserve plug & tap card and charge.

That's a pain. I am forever saying there is way too much software in cars

Maybe this is the EV equivalent of misfuelling?! I would recommend an ODB scanner because I have one which we used frequently on my wife’s Peugeot 2008 which occasionally threw mystery fault codes that would have cost hundreds of pounds to investigate the main dealer. As other people have commented I would be much more careful about plugging in and removing DC fast charging cables and give everything a bit of time to handshake and acclimatise. It’s not like jamming a hose into a hole like we all did in the 20th century you know!

Yeah, nah, keep your electric shitboxes. Petrol power RULES!

Today my mg5 had first issue-ish.. tried to charge the car, charger or the car wouldnt connect to each other.. but then the "Plug" got stuck inside the car charging port.. so I had to take the black cover below the bonet and pull a black string to release the conector..

Nope !!! Sorry , EV's not for me.... but hope you guys don't have too much hassle.....

Alarming that you are having to consider buying an OBD scanner as a back-up for such a new car. I would be concerned about a manufacturer like MG invalidating a warranty on a car if the owner has been found to be plugging in a OBD scanner.

Note: If you have a EV ensure you buy in advance the AAA Platinum Titanium Black Express+ Towing package. To include the extended range UBER package. Because you will need it constantly.

EVs are cool but its too much bloated software... Make them more like the electric forklifts i work on. A big ass battery and the pedal delivers power to the motors with no computer in between.

Did you get an OBD device and if so which one? Just watched Tesla Bjorn testing the new MG5 and it locked up but cleared after locking the car and leaving for a little while.

Disconnecting either side or both will have the same effect.

Did you buy an OBD? If so which no did you get? Please can let us know? 👍

Uses car to take kids to school, get an EV to take kids to school have to stop to let it charge and walk the kids to school. Those kids sure are going to love the fact their parents have an EV when they have to walk in the rain and cold weather to school, and meanwhile kids with ICE vehicle parents get dropped off right at school and no need to walk in the rain and cold. EV's are for those people that my grandma warned me about, they have more money than sense and as the old saying goes fools and their money will soon be parted. If people are buying these things, I should be able to sell them some ocean front property in Oklahoma!

Omg…. Mine will be delivered end of February 2023……

Think I’ve yet to find a osprey charger that I didn’t either have to hit the stop button or call the operator to uncouple the MG5 from but fortunately they never froze the car

This is worrying. I was thinking of buying an mg5. Not sure now

Hi,has this put you off the MG,certainly not a good advert for them.☹

My one criticism of these videos is they only show the charging sections of the drive, which gives the false impression that it is all charging. I realise an hour long video of just effortless driving doesn't make for good content, but it would be a truer example of EV life.

Funny thing?,the AA vehicle was a old reliable Petrol engine vehicle the rescue......hmmmmmmm.Eric

Why do people think unplugging the accessory battery would clear the battery management code when there a big battery connected. Codes are stored in the computer memory they need to be deleted.

My IQ just dropped watching this.

Should have bought a diesel ⛽️

Fool. The whole point of owning an EV is that u buy a spare for when the first breaks down. I thought everyone knew this

Any news on when you’ll be doing a video on which is the best OBD to buy for MG5 LR?

back to horse and cart

But did the girls get to school in time? 😬😆

So its the charger's fault. This happens inThailand too , but not MG. Charger's fault always made EV car owner's in headache.

Hi, I'm selling car jump starters on amazon, can i send you our products for you to try?

another great advert for diesel.............

My diesel e class Mercedes has never broken down.

What a waste of time and money

But EV's don't break down. That simply isn't possible.

If you must have an EV then take it on long term rental... If it all goes belly up (like this) then you can get out of the deal... Breakdown cover for only 12 months! That is just a terrible offer..

what is an OBD ?

That’s the problem with EV’s, they can break down and leave you stuck.

Haha, one side is enough.

EVs so crap.😂

That's what you get withcheap chinese cars

You purchased a badge mg is wholly owned by the ccp

Nice huh those EV's. Crap first class.

Buy a petrol car

Junk cars!! Should buy a real car mate.

"Made in China"

Get a petrol or diesel vehicle they are far more reliable.

That's why you don't buy a cheap Chinese ev. The T in Tesla stands for Trust.

Hey bro~maybe you can leave an email address on your boi for business collab! have a good day!