How to Change the Pollen Filter — MG ZS 2021

Overview

The pollen filter on the 2021 MG ZS is accessed through the glove box which drops down by releasing two plastic tabs. No tools are required and the whole job takes under 10 minutes.

This applies to the Blueprint version of the MG ZS and is likely similar across other MG ZS variants.

When You Need This Job

Musty or stale smell from the cabin vents
Reduced airflow from the heater or air conditioning
Part of the annual service schedule

DIY vs Garage Cost — UK 2026

An independent UK garage will typically charge £30-£60 for pollen filter replacement, including parts and labour — that's usually 30 minutes of booked time even though the job itself takes around ten. A main dealer will be £55-£110 because they fit a genuine-branded part and book longer for the same work. The DIY part cost is where the saving really shows: an own-brand UK factor filter is £8-£14, a quality Bosch, Mann or Mahle is £14-£28, and a genuine OE-branded part is £25-£45. The labour on a DIY pollen filter is essentially nothing — ten minutes of careful pinching and pulling with either no tools or a single plastic trim removal tool. Honest verdict: this is the single best beginner DIY job in the UK car-maintenance world. A first-timer can do it without any mechanical experience, the worst-case scenario is having to refit it the right way round, and a quality Mann or Bosch part performs identically to original equipment for half the price.

Tools You'll Need

No tools required

Step-by-Step Guide

Open the glove box and locate the two tabs

Open the passenger side glove box. Inside at the top you will see two small plastic tabs — one on each side.

Bend both tabs inward and drop the glove box

Press both tabs inward simultaneously and the glove box will drop down fully, revealing the filter housing behind it.

Release the filter housing cover

Behind the glove box you will see two small button clips on either side of the cover. Pull the tab on the side and the cover will release. Remove the cover and set aside.

Note airflow direction and remove the old filter

The filter has an airflow arrow printed on it — note the direction before removing. On this model the airflow points downward.

Fit the new filter

Slide the new filter into the housing ensuring the airflow arrow points in the same direction as the old one. Push it fully home and fold down the small flap at the front.

Refit the cover and glove box

Pop the cover back on ensuring it clips in on both sides — a loose cover will rattle. Press the two glove box tabs back in and push the glove box back into position.

💡 Check airflow direction carefully

The filter must go in with the arrow pointing the correct way. Fitting it backwards reduces filtration efficiency significantly.

🛒 Shop Parts & Tools for This Job

MG ZS Pollen Filter

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Common Mistakes To Avoid

The mistake I see most often is fitting the new filter the wrong way round. Every cabin filter has an airflow direction arrow printed on its edge — it must point in the same direction as the old one came out. On most cars this is downwards into the heater box. If you cannot find the arrow on the new filter, lay the old one beside it: the dirty face is where the air comes in from outside, the clean face is where it goes into the cabin. Fit the new one the same orientation and you cannot get it wrong. The second-most-common mistake is pinching the foam seal between the housing and the cover during reassembly — this lets dirty air bypass the filter completely and your new filter does nothing. Pay attention as you close the housing cover, make sure the seal sits flat all the way round. On the 2021 MG ZS (both ICE and ZS EV models), the housing cover is held by two side clips that look identical but rotate in opposite directions — squeezing both inward at the same time is the only way it releases cleanly. Forcing the cover straight off without rotating the clips will crack it. Also, the MG-branded filter from the dealer is overpriced compared to a Bosch part with the same dimensions — the dealer charges 35 to 45 pounds, the Bosch is 14. Cheap unbranded filters under £8 can be slightly off-dimension and may not seat fully — stick with Bosch, Mann or Mahle for guaranteed fit. Lay the old filter and the new one side by side, fit it the same way round, click the cover home, and you are done.

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Quick Stats

Difficulty

Easy

Vehicle

MG ZS 2021

Time

10 mins

Parts Cost

£10–£20

FAQ

Yes, with basic mechanical confidence and the right tools. This pollen filter replacement on a MG ZS is rated Intermediate — it is well within reach for a competent home mechanic. Allow 5–15 minutes and read through all the steps before you start.

At an independent UK garage, expect to pay £20–£50 for pollen filter replacement on a MG ZS, including parts and labour. Main dealer prices will typically be higher. Doing it yourself can save a significant portion of that cost — the parts alone are often less than half the garage price.

For a MG ZS, allow approximately 5–15 minutes. This assumes you have the correct tools and parts ready before you start. First-timers should add extra time for reading through the steps and double-checking their work.

Most manufacturers recommend every 12,000–15,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. If you drive in dusty or polluted areas, or notice reduced airflow from your vents, replace it sooner. It is one of the cheapest and easiest maintenance jobs you can do.

The filter housing and dimensions are identical between the MG ZS petrol and the MG ZS EV — they share the same heater and AC architecture. The part number is the same and either an MG-branded or quality aftermarket filter (Bosch, Mann) will fit both. The only practical difference is that on the EV, the cabin filter has a more noticeable effect on driving range than on the petrol, because the EV relies more heavily on heated and cooled cabin air. A clogged filter forces the climate system to work harder, draining the battery faster — so EV owners should change theirs even more diligently.

MG ZS 2021Pollen / Cabin Filter Replacement