In 2025, 87,688 Mazda MX-5 cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 74% passed first time, compared with 65% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the MX-5 better than average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 19 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 3 years old, 94% of MX-5s passed first time (all cars that age: 88%). By 20 years, that figure is 66% (all cars: 58%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 3 to 20 years.
Mazda MX-5 All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | MX-5 passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 370 | 94% | 88% | 15,453 |
| 4 years | 300 | 95% | 87% | 19,721 |
| 6 years | 4,008 | 91% | 84% | 25,708 |
| 7 years | 4,250 | 89% | 81% | 30,753 |
| 8 years | 4,563 | 89% | 78% | 34,836 |
| 9 years | 4,080 | 86% | 75% | 40,985 |
| 10 years | 2,982 | 85% | 72% | 43,784 |
| 11 years | 2,832 | 80% | 69% | 44,777 |
| 12 years | 3,088 | 79% | 66% | 51,023 |
| 13 years | 3,089 | 80% | 63% | 53,662 |
| 14 years | 3,347 | 76% | 61% | 58,356 |
| 15 years | 4,574 | 73% | 59% | 63,019 |
| 16 years | 4,068 | 71% | 58% | 68,612 |
| 17 years | 5,183 | 69% | 57% | 72,544 |
| 18 years | 7,298 | 70% | 57% | 76,941 |
| 19 years | 5,851 | 67% | 57% | 78,300 |
| 20 years | 2,940 | 66% | 58% | 76,598 |
What fails most on a Mazda MX-5
The area that lets the MX-5 down most, relative to other cars, is seat belts and airbags: 2.3% of tests failed on it, 7.0 times the rate for the average car. It does comparatively well on tyres and lights and electrics.
Share of MX-5 tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | Suspension | 4.1% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 3.9% |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.4% |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | Suspension | 2.8% |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | Visibility | 2.6% |
| Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | Brakes | 2.6% |
What to check when buying a used MX-5
Based on where the MX-5 fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Seat belts and airbags: Pull every belt out fully and let it retract, check the buckles latch, and make sure the airbag light goes out after starting. More
- Emissions and leaks: Look for oil and coolant leaks underneath, listen for exhaust blows on a cold start, and watch for smoke when revving. Repair guide
- Brakes: Look through the wheels for lipped or scored discs, check the handbrake holds on a slope, and feel for pulling or vibration under firm braking. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific MX-5
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a MX-5Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mazda MX-5?
In 2025, 74% of Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 87,688 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 65%.
What do Mazda MX-5 cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (4.1% of tests); the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (3.9% of tests); a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (3.4% of tests).
Other Mazda models
Mazda 2 (67%), Mazda 3 (69%), Mazda CX-5 (78%), Mazda 6 (69%), Mazda CX-3 (83%). All Mazda models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.