Mazda MX-5 RF MOT pass rate and common problems
97.3% of 2,165 Mazda MX-5 RF MOT tests pass.
The MX-5 RF passes its MOT 97.3% of the time — well above the average across all Mazda models, which sits at 77.9%.
The Mazda MX-5 RF passes its MOT 97.3% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mazda MX-5 RF?
This is the average across every Mazda MX-5 RF 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 stays relatively stable with age: 96.6% at 0–3 years versus 97.9% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 96.6% | 1,000 | 14,321 miles |
| 3–6 years | 97.9% | 1,165 | 16,400 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda MX-5 RF
The most common reason the Mazda MX-5 RF fails its MOT is tyres — present in 28.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 28.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 23.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 21.3% | Too high |
| Identification of the vehicle | 18.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Visibility | 14.6% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.2% | Emissions likely to be affected by an induction leak |
| Suspension | 2.2% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
Buying a used Mazda MX-5 RF: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda MX-5 RF’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 97.6% down to 93.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 28.1% of failed Mazda MX-5 RF MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 23.6% of failed Mazda MX-5 RF MOTs.
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 21.3% of failed Mazda MX-5 RF MOTs.
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. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 18.0% of failed Mazda MX-5 RF MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 14.6% of failed Mazda MX-5 RF MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
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 323 — 65.4% pass rate
- Mazda MX-30 — 95.3% pass rate
- Mazda B Series — 67.0% pass rate
- Mazda CX-7 — 66.2% pass rate
- Mazda CX-5 SE-L — 92.7% pass rate
- Mazda Eunos — 69.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda MX-5 RF?
- 97.3% of Mazda MX-5 RF MOT tests pass, based on 2,165 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda MX-5 RF?
- The most common reason the Mazda MX-5 RF fails its MOT is tyres — present in 28.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda MX-5 RF?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda MX-5 RF are tyres; brakes; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda MX-5 RF?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; lights and electrics; number plates and vin; windscreen and wipers. 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 RF'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.