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Mazda MX-5 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

86,733 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 1996–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Mazda MX-5 year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 1998 and 2001–2022. The other 4 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

75.2%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 75.0% to 75.5%.

In 2025, 75.2% of the 86,733 initial MOT tests on Mazda MX-5 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 65.7%. That is 9.5 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 5th of 173 cars first used in 2018; joint 1st of 167 cars first used in 2015; joint 1st of 116 cars first used in 2010.

Check a specific MX-5

Its own MOT history, free.

Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 31,36212,60094.1%±1.4+5.6 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 41,46916,60094.6%±1.3+7.4 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 51,05518,70091.8%±1.9+5.8 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 64,00922,90091.4%±1.0+7.9 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 74,25128,10089.2%±1.0+8.3 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 84,56331,50089.1%±1.0+10.9 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 94,08037,80086.2%±1.1+11.3 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 102,98340,20085.3%±1.4+13.4 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 112,83341,30080.4%±1.6+11.8 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 123,08847,90079.2%±1.5+13.4 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 133,08950,90079.6%±1.5+16.1 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 143,34854,90076.1%±1.5+14.9 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 154,58560,50073.2%±1.4+13.9 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 164,06865,30071.4%±1.5+13.1 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 175,18370,20068.8%±1.3+11.6 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 187,29874,90069.7%±1.1+12.3 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 195,85176,90067.0%±1.3+10.0 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 202,94073,80066.1%±1.8+8.5 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 212,73777,60064.8%±1.9+7.0 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 223,52278,10063.3%±1.7+4.6 ptsall: 58.7%
2002age 232,78282,70065.5%±1.8+6.0 ptsall: 59.5%
2001age 241,73486,80067.0%±2.3+5.9 ptsall: 61.1%
2000age 252,37988,80063.3%±2.0+0.6 ptsall: 62.7%
1999age 262,38888,80065.4%±2.0+0.8 ptsall: 64.6%
1998age 272,29493,10068.1%±2.0+2.5 ptsall: 65.6%
1997age 281,69195,10067.9%±2.3+1.0 ptsall: 66.9%
1996age 291,15194,50066.3%±2.8−0.5 ptsall: 66.8%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common MX-5 problems at the MOT

Share of the 21,476 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a MX-5

Based on the areas where Mazda MX-5 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Suspension

    In 35.7% of failed MX-5 tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  2. Lights and electrics

    In 30.9% of failed MX-5 tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  3. Brakes

    In 28.2% of failed MX-5 tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  4. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 15.3% of failed MX-5 tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a MX-5's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Mazda MX-5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Mazda MX-5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.1% failed on tyres, against 1.9% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 7,557 and 43,654 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory6.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted1.9%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 13.6% of those with a tyre advisory and 13.2% of the others.

Brakes

Of Mazda MX-5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.3% failed on brakes, against 4.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 9,411 and 41,824 cars.

  • With a brake advisory10.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 15.8% of those with a brake advisory and 12.6% of the others.

Suspension

Of Mazda MX-5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 13.9% failed on suspension, against 7.8% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 7,019 and 43,467 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory13.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted7.8%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.5% of those with a suspension advisory and 12.4% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out

Mazda MX-5 questions

Which Mazda MX-5 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 1998 and 2001–2022. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Mazda MX-5 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 75.2% of initial MOT tests on Mazda MX-5 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 65.7%. That is 9.5 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Mazda MX-5 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are suspension (in 35.7% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 30.9% of failed tests) and brakes (in 28.2% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Mazda MX-5?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Mazda MX-5 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 40,200 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific MX-5's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Mazda MX-5

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Mazda models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Mazda MX-5 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count