Mazda MX-5 Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Mazda MX-5 passes its MOT first time on 72.8% of tests, 4.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (68.0%). That puts it ahead of 72% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2017 MX-5 does best (beats 92% of cars) and the 2000 worst (beats 59%).

Of its engines, the 1.5 Petrol does best (beats 93%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 59%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belts & airbags1.4×as often as a typical car

Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.7×as often as a typical car

Prescribed areas2.9×as often as a typical car

Brake performance1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Mazda MX-5Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 51%

Beats 50%

Beats 50%

Beats 43%

Beats 56%

Beats 59%

Beats 56%

Beats 51%

Beats 60%

Beats 65%

Beats 60%

Beats 59%

Beats 70%

Beats 68%

Beats 61%

Beats 63%

Beats 66%

Beats 73%

Beats 83%

Beats 79%

Beats 84%

Beats 85%

Beats 80%

Beats 86%

Beats 84%

Beats 81%

Beats 90%

Beats 91%

Beats 92%

Beats 86%

Beats 90%

Beats 93%

Beats 97%

Beats 89%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	1993–2015	362,985	67.8%	Beats 68%	B
2.0 Petrol	2005–2022	292,595	79.8%	Beats 85%	A
1.6 Petrol	1989–2005	119,714	62.1%	Beats 59%	C
1.5 Petrol	2015–2022	55,997	90.6%	Beats 93%	A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Exhaust: 4.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension

9.7% vs 10.7%

Brakes

8.8% vs 8.5%

Lights & electrics

8.5% vs 13.8%

Emissions & leaks

4.7% vs 4.2%

Visibility

4.3% vs 5.8%

Tyres

3.3% vs 5.4%

Body & structure

3.1% vs 5.3%

Seat belts & airbags

2.5% vs 1.7%

Steering

0.9% vs 2.3%

Wheels

0.2% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 1.7× typical
Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
Brake performance 1.6× typical
On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Windscreen wipers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Mazda MX-5Typical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Coil springs	3.1%	2.3%	1.3×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)	3.1%	1.8%	1.7×
Brake performance	2.6%	1.6%	1.6×
Headlight aim	2.6%	3.8%	0.7×
Component mounting prescribed areas	2.4%	1.6%	1.5×
Windscreen wipers	2.3%	2.9%	0.8×
Sidelights	2.2%	3.1%	0.7×
Tyre damage & cracking	2.1%	3.1%	0.7×
Prescribed areas	1.9%	0.7%	2.9×
Headlight bulbs & units	1.8%	2.5%	0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	31.1
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired	25.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	25.7
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake	24.6
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	23.0
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired	19.0
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	18.2
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	17.4

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Mazda MX-52 engines93.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,476	95.0%	Beats 97%	A
1.5 Petrol	1,022	92.4%	Beats 68%	B

2021 Mazda MX-52 engines94.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	2,286	94.4%	Beats 97%	A
1.5 Petrol	1,996	94.0%	Beats 96%	A

2020 Mazda MX-52 engines93.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	2,545	93.4%	Beats 93%	A
1.5 Petrol	1,594	93.2%	Beats 93%	A

2019 Mazda MX-52 engines92.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	12,363	92.9%	Beats 94%	A
1.5 Petrol	7,367	91.3%	Beats 82%	A

2018 Mazda MX-52 engines90.9% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	16,508	90.8%	Beats 84%	A
1.5 Petrol	8,604	91.1%	Beats 90%	A

2017 Mazda MX-52 engines90.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	20,090	90.9%	Beats 92%	A
1.5 Petrol	11,124	90.7%	Beats 92%	A

2016 Mazda MX-52 engines89.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	16,080	89.1%	Beats 89%	A
1.5 Petrol	16,038	89.4%	Beats 92%	A

2015 Mazda MX-53 engines88.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	11,329	89.1%	Beats 94%	A
1.5 Petrol	8,252	90.1%	Beats 97%	A
1.8 Petrol	6,558	84.1%	Beats 60%	B

2014 Mazda MX-52 engines85.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	15,390	86.4%	Beats 86%	A
1.8 Petrol	9,883	83.8%	Beats 73%	B

2013 Mazda MX-52 engines83.1% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	16,414	84.1%	Beats 89%	A
1.8 Petrol	11,159	81.6%	Beats 76%	B

2012 Mazda MX-52 engines81.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	15,701	82.8%	Beats 91%	A
1.8 Petrol	11,974	80.1%	Beats 79%	B

2011 Mazda MX-52 engines78.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	18,230	79.0%	Beats 83%	A
1.8 Petrol	11,939	77.1%	Beats 75%	B

2010 Mazda MX-52 engines76.6% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	20,681	77.9%	Beats 89%	A
1.8 Petrol	20,619	75.3%	Beats 79%	B

2009 Mazda MX-52 engines74.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	21,376	75.7%	Beats 89%	A
1.8 Petrol	15,514	72.5%	Beats 77%	B

2008 Mazda MX-52 engines71.1% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	24,406	72.8%	Beats 84%	A
1.8 Petrol	23,178	69.3%	Beats 73%	B

2007 Mazda MX-52 engines70.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	36,708	71.9%	Beats 86%	A
1.8 Petrol	31,571	69.6%	Beats 79%	B

2006 Mazda MX-52 engines66.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	35,903	67.2%	Beats 75%	B
1.8 Petrol	22,511	65.7%	Beats 71%	B

2005 Mazda MX-53 engines64.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	21,167	63.8%	Beats 65%	B
1.6 Petrol	6,209	61.7%	Beats 61%	B
2.0 Petrol	5,109	67.2%	Beats 77%	B

2004 Mazda MX-52 engines61.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	23,241	62.1%	Beats 64%	B
1.6 Petrol	10,361	60.6%	Beats 62%	B

2003 Mazda MX-52 engines60.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	33,308	60.9%	Beats 61%	B
1.6 Petrol	10,283	59.7%	Beats 62%	B

2002 Mazda MX-52 engines62.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	22,323	63.6%	Beats 70%	B
1.6 Petrol	11,030	61.1%	Beats 65%	B

2001 Mazda MX-52 engines63.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	12,090	63.5%	Beats 69%	B
1.6 Petrol	7,955	63.3%	Beats 71%	B

2000 Mazda MX-52 engines60.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	16,557	61.0%	Beats 59%	C
1.6 Petrol	10,740	60.7%	Beats 60%	B

1999 Mazda MX-52 engines62.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	18,296	63.1%	Beats 61%	B
1.6 Petrol	8,857	60.9%	Beats 58%	C

1998 Mazda MX-52 engines64.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	16,213	65.6%	Beats 66%	B
1.6 Petrol	8,931	63.9%	Beats 63%	B

1997 Mazda MX-52 engines64.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	11,164	65.9%	Beats 64%	B
1.6 Petrol	6,387	62.4%	Beats 51%	C

1996 Mazda MX-52 engines63.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	9,458	64.0%	Beats 56%	C
1.6 Petrol	2,679	60.2%	Beats 37%	D

1995 Mazda MX-52 engines64.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	7,462	64.6%	Beats 57%	C
1.6 Petrol	1,013	63.4%	Beats 51%	C

1994 Mazda MX-51 engine64.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	5,640	64.1%	Beats 59%	C

1993 Mazda MX-52 engines63.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	6,445	63.1%	Beats 55%	C
1.8 Petrol	1,160	64.2%	Beats 63%	B

1992 Mazda MX-51 engine61.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	7,933	61.1%	Beats 43%	C

1991 Mazda MX-51 engine64.3% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	10,552	64.3%	Beats 50%	C

1990 Mazda MX-51 engine65.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	9,264	65.5%	Beats 50%	C

1989 Mazda MX-51 engine64.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	1,075	64.2%	Beats 51%	C

FAQ

What is the Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate?

72.8% of MOT tests on the Mazda MX-5 were passed first time, based on 831,291 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1989–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 68.0% of the time.

Is the Mazda MX-5 reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 72% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mazda MX-5 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2017 MX-5 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 92% of cars on UK roads. The 2000 does worst: it beats 59%.

Which Mazda MX-5 engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.5 Petrol does best: it beats 93% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 59%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure items are coil springs, exhaust emissions (catalyst), brake performance. Compared with similar cars, exhaust emissions (catalyst) comes up 1.7× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Mazda MX-5 reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ