Mazda MX-5 reliability
MOT pass rates & common faults · 154,015 real DVSA tests · 2024
Across 154,015 real DVSA MOT tests in 2024, 69% of Mazda MX-5 cars aged 13 years and older pass their MOT first time — ahead of the 61% average for all cars of that age. It holds up especially well on road wheels and steering.
MOT pass rate by age
Where the MX-5 tends to fail
Share of Mazda MX-5 cars aged 13 years and older with no fault in each area (higher is better). The tick is the fleet average for the same age.
Holds up better than average on road wheels, steering, tyres.
Common questions
Is the Mazda MX-5 reliable?
On 2024 MOT data the Mazda MX-5 holds up well for its age: 69% of examples aged 13 years and older pass first time, against a 61% fleet average. That puts it ahead of 63% of similar-age models.
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mazda MX-5?
First-time MOT pass rates for the Mazda MX-5 in 2024: 4 to 7 years, 91%; 8 to 12 years, 84%; and 13 years and older, 69%. Pass rates fall with age across the whole fleet, so compare each figure with cars of the same age, not with a new car.
What commonly fails on a Mazda MX-5 MOT?
No single area stands out as a recurring weakness for the Mazda MX-5 versus other cars of the same age — its MOT failures are spread across the usual wear items (tyres, brakes, lamps).