MOT performance
Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 188,374 MOT tests of the Mazda MX-5 in 2023–2024, 74.1% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mazda MX-5s failed 17% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 3.09% of tests.
188,374 MOT tests on 98,830 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 74.1% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 188,374 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.83× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 5.3% | n = 188,374 |
| Average age at test | 14.6 years | n = 188,374 |
| Median mileage at test | 58,848 miles | n = 188,374 |
| Vehicles tested | 98,830 | 2023–2024 |
Where Mazda MX-5s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 9.2% | -8% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 8.0% | -39% |
| Brakes | 7.9% | +1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9% | +8% |
| Driver's view of the road | 4.1% | -27% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 3.1% | -36% |
| Tyres | 3.0% | -43% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.9% | +33% |
| Steering | 0.8% | -61% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.4% | -8% |
| Road wheels | 0.2% | -45% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -38% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 3.09% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.17% |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | Suspension | 2.15% |
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | Brakes | 2.14% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.06% |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.86% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.53% |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | Seat belts and airbags | 1.52% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.32% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 1.13% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.88% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.20% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 7.78% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 7.02% |
| Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.15% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 11,626 | 92.5% | -29% |
| 5-6 | 16,348 | 90.1% | -31% |
| 7-8 | 14,181 | 86.8% | -31% |
| 9-10 | 11,692 | 81.7% | -25% |
| 11-12 | 13,463 | 77.0% | -22% |
| 13-15 | 28,918 | 71.8% | -23% |
| 16+ | 90,018 | 65.6% | -10% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,495 | 94.4% | 0.63× |
| 2020 | 2,157 | 94.5% | 0.60× |
| 2019 | 8,112 | 92.4% | 0.70× |
| 2018 | 8,550 | 90.5% | 0.74× |
| 2017 | 9,103 | 90.2% | 0.65× |
| 2016 | 8,223 | 87.4% | 0.70× |
| 2015 | 5,946 | 86.3% | 0.68× |
| 2014 | 5,709 | 82.9% | 0.77× |
| 2013 | 6,212 | 80.7% | 0.75× |
| 2012 | 6,224 | 79.3% | 0.74× |
| 2011 | 6,802 | 75.4% | 0.80× |
| 2010 | 9,382 | 74.6% | 0.75× |
| 2009 | 8,427 | 72.5% | 0.75× |
| 2008 | 10,876 | 69.9% | 0.78× |
| 2007 | 15,529 | 69.7% | 0.76× |
| 2006 | 13,047 | 65.4% | 0.85× |
| 2005 | 6,865 | 63.4% | 0.91× |
| 2004 | 6,874 | 63.3% | 0.90× |
| 2003 | 8,699 | 63.2% | 0.90× |
| 2002 | 6,712 | 65.5% | 0.85× |
| 2001 | 4,113 | 65.0% | 0.87× |
| 2000 | 5,794 | 62.4% | 0.97× |
| 1999 | 5,830 | 64.4% | 1.00× |
| 1998 | 5,362 | 66.8% | 1.03× |
| 1997 | 3,803 | 66.5% | 1.10× |
| 1996 | 2,319 | 65.8% | 1.13× |
| 1995 | 1,440 | 65.7% | 1.13× |
| 1994 | 814 | 69.3% | 0.99× |
| 1993 | 750 | 67.1% | 1.05× |
| 1992 | 805 | 67.6% | 1.02× |
| 1991 | 1,234 | 69.0% | 1.00× |
| 1990 | 1,081 | 69.6% | 0.97× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.