Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport car check
Is the Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport reliable? We analysed 915 real MOT tests across 358 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport 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 Sport.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport 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 Sport MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 203 | 89.2% | 8,730 | 14,315 | 21,917 |
| 2021 | 289 | 94.5% | 8,436 | 14,718 | 22,943 |
| 2020 | 381 | 94.5% | 11,186 | 16,439 | 23,005 |
How Long Does a Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport Last?
Based on 358 Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport 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 Sport
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.5% MOT pass rate from 381 tests
89.2% MOT pass rate from 203 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport is 2020, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.5% across 381 tests. The 2022 model year has the lowest pass rate at 89.2% — 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 Sport 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 Sport THIS CAR | 93.3% | 915 | 15,696 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 |
| Peugeot 308 Sport HDI 110 | 74.6% | 1,053 | 119,700 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 Sport outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport 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 SportShould you buy a used Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport?
The Mazda MX-5 Rf Sport has an overall MOT pass rate of 93.3% across 915 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 tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. 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 Sport 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 Sport owner drives around 4,215 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.