2006 Mazda MX-5 · 22,808 MOT tests
2006 Mazda MX-5 reliability
2006 Mazda MX-5s fail 33.3% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 MX-5 years (22,808 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mazda MX-5s: 25.3%)
- 33.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Mazda MX-5s: 25.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 74,365
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 22,808
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2006 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does better)
- 2007 cars: 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does worse)
- Weak spot: suspension, 16.8% of tests fail here (17% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: lights and electrics, 53% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2006 car carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Common problems
What fails on a 2006 Mazda MX-5
Fail rate by area
- Suspension16.8%
- Lights and electrics8.5%
- Brakes7.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.3%
- Body, chassis and structure4.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.5%
- Tyres3.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.96%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.31%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Service brake excessively binding 2.42%
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Position lamp not working 2.31%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.92%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.82%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (8.27%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (7.53%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.19%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.13%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.8%) · Service brake slightly binding (4.42%)
Other years
Every Mazda MX-5 year
The full picture: Mazda MX-5 reliability. Before you pay for any Mazda MX-5, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2006 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
2006 Mazda MX-5s fail 33.3% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 15 of 24 MX-5 years (22,808 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2006 Mazda MX-5 MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.96% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.31% of tests), service brake excessively binding (2.42% of tests).
How many miles should a 2006 Mazda MX-5 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2006 Mazda MX-5 shows 74,365 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2006 car?
A car first registered in 2006 carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
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