Mazda MX 5 MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the Mazda MX 5 took 95,608 MOT tests in Britain and passed 74% of them first time, close to the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 95,608
- First-time pass rate
- 74%
- All cars
- 71%
What the MX 5 fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Suspension9.3% (all cars 9.0%)
- Lights and electrics8.0% (all cars 11.3%)
- Brakes7.9% (all cars 6.8%)
- Exhaust and emissions5.1% (all cars 3.1%)
- Visibility4.3% (all cars 4.8%)
- Body and structure3.1% (all cars 3.5%)
- Tyres3.0% (all cars 6.4%)
- Seat belts and airbags2.0% (all cars 1.0%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Coil spring: fractured or broken 3.2%
- Service brake performance: excessively binding 2.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 2.3%
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength 2.2%
- Position lamp: not working 2.1%
- Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 1.9%
- Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced 1.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick 1.5%
Most common advisories
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 9.9%
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 8.7%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 7.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin 7.0%
- Service brake performance: binding but not excessively 4.7%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened 4.6%
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 4.4%
- Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 4.0%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 518 | 69% |
| 1991 | 607 | 68% |
| 1992 | 383 | 67% |
| 1993 | 359 | 66% |
| 1994 | 400 | 70% |
| 1995 | 729 | 66% |
| 1996 | 1,170 | 65% |
| 1997 | 1,968 | 66% |
| 1998 | 2,793 | 66% |
| 1999 | 3,114 | 65% |
| 2000 | 3,079 | 61% |
| 2001 | 2,179 | 65% |
| 2002 | 3,605 | 66% |
| 2003 | 4,654 | 62% |
| 2004 | 3,710 | 63% |
| 2005 | 3,608 | 64% |
| 2006 | 6,774 | 65% |
| 2007 | 7,895 | 69% |
| 2008 | 5,515 | 70% |
| 2009 | 4,235 | 73% |
| 2010 | 4,703 | 75% |
| 2011 | 3,426 | 76% |
| 2012 | 3,115 | 80% |
| 2013 | 3,104 | 81% |
| 2014 | 2,861 | 83% |
| 2015 | 2,971 | 87% |
| 2016 | 4,117 | 88% |
| 2017 | 4,554 | 91% |
| 2018 | 4,267 | 91% |
| 2019 | 4,069 | 94% |
| 2020 | 1,065 | 95% |
Typical mileage by age
Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.
| Age at test | Average mileage |
|---|---|
| 3 years | 12,945 miles |
| 4 years | 17,300 miles |
| 5 years | 22,030 miles |
| 6 years | 26,940 miles |
| 7 years | 33,206 miles |
| 8 years | 36,678 miles |
| 9 years | 38,452 miles |
| 10 years | 44,569 miles |
| 11 years | 47,589 miles |
| 12 years | 52,548 miles |
| 13 years | 57,626 miles |
| 14 years | 63,394 miles |
| 15 years | 68,351 miles |
| 16 years | 73,213 miles |
| 17 years | 76,380 miles |
| 18 years | 77,009 miles |
| 19 years | 80,247 miles |
| 20 years | 81,144 miles |
Check a particular MX 5
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Other Mazda models
- Mazda 2
- Mazda 3
- Mazda 6
- Mazda CX 5
- Mazda CX 3
- Mazda 5
- Mazda Bongo
- Mazda CX 30
- Mazda RX 8
- Mazda B Series
- Mazda 323
- Mazda CX 7
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.