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MG4 LFP vs NMC battery: which ages better on a used car? (UK)

Published 2026-10-28 · Last updated 2026-10-28 · based on 15 sourced MG4 data points and 22 sources

A used MG4 comes with either an LFP or an NMC battery, and buyers often hear that LFP lasts longer. This guide sets out which MG4 has which battery, what the published MG4 battery health figures show (and don't show), what bigger studies say about LFP vs NMC, and how to check the battery on the car you're looking at.

All MG4 figures with method and date: used MG4 battery data. Going to a viewing? Make a printable list of questions for the seller.

1. Which MG4 has which battery

EV Database listings, checked 2026-10-27. Standard Range 51 kWh: LFP. Long Range 64 kWh, XPOWER 64 kWh and Extended Range 77 kWh: NMC.

Trim names don't always tell you the battery, so check the battery size in the advert and the paperwork, or ask an MG dealer to confirm it from the VIN. Don't confuse the MG4 with the MG4 Urban: ADAC describes it as a separate car on a different platform with a 53.8 kWh LFP battery (ADAC).

2. What the MG4 data shows so far

Every row is a single car (n=1). AVILOO tests calculate SoH independently; MG service reports and OBD/app readings show the car's own estimate, which owners report can move by several points between services (MGEVs.com owner forum). One LFP car is from Australia's hot climate. Every row is also on the MG4 data page.

What this does and doesn't show:

• Most figures are at or above ADAC's rule of thumb for all EVs (92% at 50,000 km). The lowest, 91.0% at 45,000 km, is an owner's reading of the car's own estimate for an LFP car (GoingElectric forum). Nothing so far suggests either MG4 battery is wearing unusually fast in its first 55,000 km, but the data is thin.
• The differences between LFP and NMC cars are no bigger than the differences between NMC cars tested the same way (94.1%–97.6% on 4 AVILOO tests). With single cars and mixed methods, we can't say which battery ages better.
• One LFP car followed through three MG services read 95.0% at 13,000 km, 94.0% at 26,000 km, 92.0% at 38,000 km (GoingElectric forum). That's one car's own estimate, not a test.

3. What bigger studies say about LFP vs NMC

• Same car, different batteries (Tesla Model 3): Carla's 2026 analysis of Swedish AVILOO tests compared Model 3s above 100,000 km by battery. Model 3 60.5 kWh CATL LFP: 93.3%; Model 3 78.8 kWh LG Chem (new software): 92.8%; Model 3 LG Chem (all): 91.5%; Model 3 Panasonic 77.8 kWh: 89.8%; Model 3 Panasonic 52.4 kWh: 88.2% (Carla AB, 2026-07-08; reported in English by Electrek). The LFP version came out ahead of every nickel-based version, by between about 0.5 and 5 points. This is a different car with different cells and software, so it's a hint for the MG4, not proof.
• Laboratory cells: a Sandia National Laboratories study cycled commercial cells for several years. Under the tested conditions, LFP cells lasted 2,500–9,000 equivalent full cycles against 200–2,500 for NMC cells, and most LFP cells hadn't reached 80% capacity when the study ended (Journal of The Electrochemical Society 167 120532, 2020-09-02). The same study found temperature, depth of discharge and discharge rate had a big effect within each chemistry. These were small cells in a lab, not car batteries.
• Car-to-car spread: within one model, cars differ a lot. For example, AVILOO found the gap between IONIQ 5s grows to more than 12 points by 150,000 km (AVILOO GmbH). How a car was charged, stored and driven matters for both chemistries.

So for most buyers: choose the battery size for the range you need, then check the individual car. Chemistry is a minor factor next to how that car has been used.

4. How to check either MG4 battery

• Do a full slow (AC) charge before any reading: MG says a full slow charge is the only way for the battery to reach its balanced "equalisation" state, and the car shows "Please Slow-charge the Vehicle" if one has not been done for a while. (MG Motor Europe)
• MG service inspection reports can include an SoH figure, and OBD apps can read the car's own value – but owners report these car-reported figures can move by several points between services (e.g. 99% → 100% → 95% on one car), so treat them as a guide. (MGEVs.com owner forum)
• Ask for an independent battery test. AVILOO lists FLASH-test support for the MG4 51, 64 and 77 kWh packs shown above, so a dealer certificate or a mobile tester can give an SoH figure you can compare with the results on this page. (AVILOO GmbH)
• On the AVILOO certificates we found, the car's own figure and AVILOO's were close: MG4 64 kWh (NMC) car's own 98.0% vs AVILOO 97.6%; MG4 64 kWh (NMC) car's own 93.0% vs AVILOO 94.1%; MG4 64 kWh (NMC) car's own 98.0% vs AVILOO 97.3%; MG4 51 kWh (LFP) car's own 93.0% vs AVILOO 94.8% (Car360, AAA Auto, [2], Carma).
• One UK report for a 51 kWh LFP car printed only the car's own figure (92.5%) and an AVILOO score of 94/100, not a separate AVILOO SoH (Car360). If you're paying for a test, check that the report gives an SoH percentage.

AVILOO calculates SoH with its own method rather than copying the car's figure (AVILOO GmbH). Prices are on our buying guide, and how to read a battery health certificate explains each field.

5. Warranty and recalls: the same for both batteries

MG UK (warranty statement for cars registered on/after 1 Sep 2019, online version dated 1 Jan 2025): vehicle 7 years / 80,000 miles; the lithium-ion high-voltage battery is listed at 96 months / 100,000 miles, and a capacity drop below 70% of the original value is treated as excessive loss (repaired, or the battery replaced with a new or remanufactured one). Private-hire/taxi EVs have a shorter vehicle warranty, but the statement says the HV battery "in all cases" has 8 years / 100,000 miles from 1 Jan 2025. Confirm the cover for the specific car (VIN, registration date) with MG. (MG Motor UK, checked 2026-10-20)

• The first UK MG4s were listed from October 2022, so private cars are inside the 8-year limit until at least October 2030. The 100,000-mile limit and the 70% threshold are what to check. Our battery warranty checker works out what's left (UK terms (statement dated 1 Jan 2025): 8 years / 100,000 miles, below 70%).
• When we downloaded DVSA's recall file on 2026-10-28, the only MG4 recall was R/2022/355 (superlock software, 1,960 vehicles); there was no MG4 high-voltage battery recall (DVSA). Run the free GOV.UK recall check on the registration anyway (GOV.UK).
• As a rule of thumb for all EVs, ADAC expects at least 92% at 50,000 km, 88% at 100,000 km, 84% at 150,000 km, 80% at 200,000 km (ADAC).
• Compare the MG4 with other models on the battery degradation chart, or get a quick estimate with the battery health estimator.

Also see: Chinese EV battery guide (MG, BYD, Polestar…) · questions to ask an MG4 seller (printable) · battery state of health explained · general used-EV battery checklist · all models compared.

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