Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common problems
78.9% of 155,573 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests pass.
The MX-5's pass rate of 78.9% is in line with the average across all Mazda models, at 77.9%.
The Mazda MX-5's pass rate of 78.9% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Mazda MX-5?
This is the average across every Mazda MX-5 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mazda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Mazda MX-5 tested at 0–3 years pass 95.6% of the time, compared with just 71.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.6% | 951 | 13,381 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.6% | 13,265 | 22,622 miles |
| 6–10 years | 91.3% | 24,465 | 35,047 miles |
| 10–15 years | 82.1% | 27,449 | 54,733 miles |
| 15+ years | 71.9% | 89,443 | 85,672 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda MX-5
The most common reason the Mazda MX-5 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 46.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 46.9% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Brakes | 41.9% | Excessively binding |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 41.2% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 24.1% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 16.9% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 15.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 12.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 9.5% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 3.7% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Mazda MX-5: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda MX-5’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mazda MX-5 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 82.1% to 71.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 84.2% down to 73.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 46.9% of failed Mazda MX-5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 16.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 41.9% of failed Mazda MX-5 MOTs. 14.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 41.2% of failed Mazda MX-5 MOTs. 14.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.2% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 24.1% of failed Mazda MX-5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 9.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 16.9% of failed Mazda MX-5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mazda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mazda models
- Mazda 2 — 75.2% pass rate
- Mazda 3 — 74.5% pass rate
- Mazda CX-5 — 85.9% pass rate
- Mazda 6 — 75.4% pass rate
- Mazda CX-3 — 89.1% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 — 94.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda MX-5?
- 78.9% of Mazda MX-5 MOT tests pass, based on 155,573 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda MX-5?
- The most common reason the Mazda MX-5 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 46.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda MX-5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda MX-5 are suspension; brakes; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 16.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda MX-5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; brakes; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mazda MX-5's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mazda service history guide for how to check and keep one.