The method of the inhibitor-containing coatings formation with self-healing properties on the surface of magnesium alloys has been developed. The obtained experimental results indicate that the protective properties of the samples with inhibitor-containing coating were increased in comparison with the samples without coating and the base coating obtained by plasma electrolytic oxidation method (PEO). Electrochemical parameters of the porous and poreless layers on the surface of the samples have been calculated before and after polarization due to experimental impedance data modeling by means of the equivalent electrical circuits. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.