Mazda MX5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda MX5 car check
Is the Mazda MX5 reliable? We analysed 3,499 real MOT tests across 291 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda MX5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda MX5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, fog lamp not working and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda MX5.
Mazda MX5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda MX5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda MX5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda MX5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda MX5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda MX5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda MX5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda MX5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda MX5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda MX5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 207 | 72.5% | 109,003 | 147,970 | 181,906 |
| 2015 | 51 | 80.4% | 173,720 | 204,330 | 232,652 |
| 2013 | 111 | 84.7% | 19,790 | 29,214 | 40,760 |
| 2012 | 205 | 91.2% | 20,952 | 32,495 | 44,455 |
| 2010 | 59 | 86.4% | 36,082 | 53,596 | 81,897 |
| 2008 | 173 | 78.6% | 37,638 | 60,866 | 80,957 |
| 2007 | 176 | 76.1% | 37,500 | 59,326 | 79,888 |
| 2006 | 123 | 78.0% | 45,920 | 62,466 | 92,513 |
| 2005 | 86 | 75.6% | 62,694 | 78,395 | 103,027 |
| 2004 | 229 | 71.6% | 70,423 | 98,023 | 122,862 |
| 2003 | 158 | 68.4% | 63,791 | 89,770 | 115,473 |
| 2002 | 153 | 75.2% | 75,176 | 132,236 | 181,736 |
| 2001 | 112 | 68.8% | 54,424 | 90,746 | 162,317 |
| 2000 | 163 | 73.0% | 61,560 | 84,593 | 119,310 |
| 1999 | 181 | 77.9% | 80,411 | 121,581 | 172,066 |
| 1998 | 268 | 69.0% | 96,754 | 129,870 | 173,334 |
| 1997 | 69 | 75.4% | 94,723 | 113,018 | 148,513 |
| 1996 | 59 | 74.6% | 89,142 | 111,284 | 167,735 |
| 1993 | 133 | 67.7% | 129,354 | 171,871 | 211,538 |
| 1992 | 80 | 66.3% | 62,902 | 120,156 | 133,656 |
How Long Does a Mazda MX5 Last?
Based on 291 Mazda MX5 vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda MX5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda MX5 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 MX5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.2% MOT pass rate from 205 tests
66.0% MOT pass rate from 147 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda MX5 is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.2% across 205 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda MX5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX5 THIS CAR | 75.6% | 3,499 | 96,594 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 |
| Lexus Is F | 87.8% | 3,311 | 63,985 mi | 20 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda MX5 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda MX5 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 MX5Should you buy a used Mazda MX5?
The Mazda MX5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.6% across 3,499 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 MX5 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (64 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (61), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (61). 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 MX5 owner drives around 2,660 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 MX5 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.