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Mazda Mx- Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mazda Mx- car check

Is the Mazda Mx- reliable? We analysed 866 real MOT tests across 155 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 866 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
63.7%
Typical Mileage
104,190mi
Annual Mileage
4,924mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
36yrs

The Mazda Mx- is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda Mx-.

Mazda Mx- Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mazda Mx-. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mazda Mx- MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mazda Mx- to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

66%
2000
64.2%
1999
63.1%
1998
57.9%
1997
70.8%
1996
61.5%
1992
61.8%
1991
56.8%
1990

Mazda Mx- Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mazda Mx- fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 51
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 45
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 44
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 42
Brake pipe excessively corroded 37
constant velocity joint gaiter split 32
brake disc excessively pitted 31
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 29
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 28
parking brake recording little or no effort 27

Mazda Mx- Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mazda Mx- owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
2,816 mi/yr
Typical
4,924 mi/yr
Average
6,053 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,295 mi/yr

Mazda Mx- MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda Mx- year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2000 53 66.0% 94,538 106,276 112,269
1999 81 64.2% 69,228 90,906 125,848
1998 111 63.1% 65,072 80,300 142,773
1997 140 57.9% 75,450 98,200 119,990
1996 65 70.8% 85,271 94,381 108,355
1992 65 61.5% 91,363 107,694 133,505
1991 89 61.8% 74,761 120,602 146,895
1990 74 56.8% 104,353 125,630 139,398

How Long Does a Mazda Mx- Last?

Based on 155 Mazda Mx- vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.6 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
36 years

Mazda Mx- Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mazda Mx- MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
104,190 mi
75th Percentile
129,858 mi
95th Percentile
165,195 mi
Max Recorded
240,233 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda Mx-

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1996

70.8% MOT pass rate from 65 tests

Year to avoid
1990

56.8% MOT pass rate from 74 tests

The best year to buy a used Mazda Mx- is 1996, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 70.8% across 65 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mazda Mx- Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mazda Mx- THIS CAR 63.7% 866 104,190 mi 36 yrs
Mazda MX-5 76.5% 2,502,760 63,190 mi 36 yrs
Mazda 3 77.5% 2,040,939 61,041 mi 22 yrs
Mazda 6 75.4% 1,904,140 77,387 mi 24 yrs
Seat Arona SE Edition TSI 89.1% 523 21,127 mi — yrs

Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda Mx- trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Mazda Mx-?

The Mazda Mx- has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.7% across 866 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.

The most common problems on the Mazda Mx- are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (51 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (45), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (44). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Mazda Mx- owner drives around 4,924 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Mazda Mx- models stay on UK roads for around 36 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Mazda Mx- — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mazda Mx- reliable?
Based on 866 MOT tests, the Mazda Mx- has a 63.7% pass rate — below average, so factor in potential repair costs.
What are the common problems on a Mazda Mx-?
The most common MOT failures are seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mazda Mx- do per year?
The typical Mazda Mx- does around 4,924 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mazda Mx- last?
Most Mazda Mx- models stay on UK roads for around 36 years based on our analysis of 155 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mazda Mx-?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mazda Mx-?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mazda Mx- is 1996 with a 70.8% pass rate across 65 tests.