Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l car check
Is the Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l reliable? We analysed 369 real MOT tests across 154 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 91 | 95.6% | 8,636 | 16,123 | 22,456 |
| 2021 | 123 | 91.9% | 12,658 | 19,914 | 26,458 |
| 2020 | 147 | 93.9% | 9,716 | 14,516 | 21,892 |
How Long Does a Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l Last?
Based on 154 Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.6% MOT pass rate from 91 tests
91.9% MOT pass rate from 123 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.6% across 91 tests. The 2021 model year has the lowest pass rate at 91.9% — 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-5 Rf Se-l Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l THIS CAR | 93.8% | 369 | 16,828 mi | — 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 |
| Ford Fiesta Flight | 70.7% | 430 | 67,037 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-lShould you buy a used Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l?
The Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.8% across 369 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mazda MX-5 Rf Se-l owner drives around 4,218 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.
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.