Sports car and convertible · 1996–2021 cars
Mazda MX-5 reliability
The Mazda MX-5 fails 25.3% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 312,377 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mazda MX-5 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 25.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 16% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 312,377
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Mazda MX-5 is a good buy if you check it properly. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 25.3%, against 28.4% for all cars, and it has 16% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 45 of 62 sports car and convertible models, so check it closely. Year matters too: 2020 cars did best, with 51% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars, while 1999 cars were about average.
Even a better-than-average car needs checking. Seat belts and airbags are the weak area, with 26% more fails there than comparable cars, so test them carefully. Before you buy, look at the coil springs for fractures (the most common failure, at 2.72% of tests), check the wiper blades, inspect the suspension mounting areas for serious corrosion (1.84%), and make sure every position lamp works (1.76%).
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mazda MX-5 ages
Each point is the share of Mazda MX-5s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mazda MX-5 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 8.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 9% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 9.9% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 11.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 13.7% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 17.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 18.7% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 21.5% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 24% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 25.2% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 27.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 30.4% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 31% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 33.2% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 36.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 36.7% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 35.9% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 35.4% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 35.9% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 37.5% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 35.7% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 34.5% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Mazda MX-5 years
2020 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 497 | 4.2% | 54% fewer fails | 14,707 |
| 2020 MX-5 | 2,151 | 4.6% | 51% fewer fails | 14,639 |
| 2019 MX-5 | 11,839 | 7.6% | 28% fewer fails | 17,002 |
| 2018 MX-5 | 15,917 | 8.4% | 28% fewer fails | 20,030 |
| 2017 MX-5 | 16,690 | 9% | 35% fewer fails | 24,332 |
| 2016 MX-5 | 15,142 | 11.4% | 30% fewer fails | 30,719 |
| 2015 MX-5 | 10,595 | 13% | 29% fewer fails | 33,830 |
| 2014 MX-5 | 10,103 | 15.5% | 24% fewer fails | 35,401 |
| 2013 MX-5 | 10,805 | 18% | 24% fewer fails | 41,992 |
| 2012 MX-5 | 10,977 | 19.7% | 24% fewer fails | 45,153 |
| 2011 MX-5 | 11,737 | 23.2% | 19% fewer fails | 49,459 |
| 2010 MX-5 | 16,243 | 24.7% | 22% fewer fails | 55,484 |
| 2009 MX-5 | 14,564 | 25.6% | 25% fewer fails | 60,360 |
| 2008 MX-5 | 18,616 | 29% | 20% fewer fails | 65,252 |
| 2007 MX-5 | 26,923 | 29.5% | 23% fewer fails | 70,747 |
| 2006 MX-5 | 22,808 | 33.3% | 15% fewer fails | 74,365 |
| 2005 MX-5 | 12,214 | 36.4% | 8% fewer fails | 73,927 |
| 2004 MX-5 | 12,205 | 37.2% | 8% fewer fails | 78,619 |
| 2003 MX-5 | 15,489 | 36.8% | 8% fewer fails | 79,223 |
| 2002 MX-5 | 11,883 | 34.7% | 13% fewer fails | 83,837 |
| 2001 MX-5 | 7,601 | 35.7% | 10% fewer fails | 88,847 |
| 2000 MX-5 | 10,691 | 38% | 2% fewer fails | 90,605 |
| 1999 MX-5 | 12,870 | 36.7% | 1% fewer fails | 91,003 |
| 1998 MX-5 | 10,044 | 34.1% | 5% fewer fails | 93,082 |
| 1997 MX-5 | 3,136 | 34.7% | 3% fewer fails | 94,667 |
| 1996 | 637 | 34.9% | 1% fewer fails | 92,987 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mazda MX-5
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 26% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension9.1%9% below avg
- Lights and electrics7.8%39% below avg
- Brakes7.7%1% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.8%20% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.1%26% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure3%39% below avg
- Tyres3%43% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.9%26% above avg
- Steering0.7%64% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.72% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.93% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 1.84% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Position lamp not working 1.76% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Service brake excessively binding 1.74% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
- 6
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.51% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.32% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Seat belt anchor area weakened 1.25% of tests
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda MX-5's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.27%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.76%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.7%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.08%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion3.96%
- Service brake slightly binding3.16%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mazda MX-5
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 4
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Mazda MX-5 covers about 4,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
- Diesel0%
- LPG0%
Most common colours
Red, Blue, Silver, Grey, Black
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Mazda MX-5 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 10.4% | 62% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz SL | 15.3% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Porsche Boxster | 16.4% | 48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW Z4 | 22.2% | 33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi TT | 22.6% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK | 25.9% | 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda MX-5 | 25.3% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Mazda models.
Questions
Mazda MX-5 questions, answered
Is the Mazda MX-5 reliable?
On MOT results, the Mazda MX-5 is better than average: it fails 25.3% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 45 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Mazda MX-5 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mazda MX-5 are coil spring fractured or broken (2.72% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.93% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (1.84% of tests). By area, suspension fails 9.1% of its tests.
Which Mazda MX-5 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Mazda MX-5 do a year?
A typical Mazda MX-5 covers about 4,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Mazda MX-5 before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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