Mazda MX-5 Sport Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda MX-5 Sport car check
Is the Mazda MX-5 Sport reliable? We analysed 1,075 real MOT tests across 177 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda MX-5 Sport? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda MX-5 Sport is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick, brake pipe excessively corroded and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda MX-5 Sport.
Mazda MX-5 Sport Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda MX-5 Sport. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda MX-5 Sport Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda MX-5 Sport fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda MX-5 Sport Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda MX-5 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 Sport Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda MX-5 Sport MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Mazda MX-5 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 Sport THIS CAR | 84.4% | 1,075 | 61,490 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 |
| Sym Symply 2 125 | 78.7% | 851 | 14,675 mi | 15 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda MX-5 Sport outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda MX-5 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 SportShould you buy a used Mazda MX-5 Sport?
The Mazda MX-5 Sport has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.4% across 1,075 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mazda MX-5 Sport are brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (3), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (3). 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-5 Sport owner drives around 1,809 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.