Mazda Mx-5 I Auto MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 92 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 5.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Mazda Mx-5 I Auto MOT Reliability Overview
The Mazda Mx-5 I Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 92 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.6% and a failure rate of 5.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Mazda Mx-5 I Auto presents for MOT with approximately 22,987 miles on the clock. Manufacture year matters: 2009 models achieve the highest pass rate at 98.0%, while 2010 models have the lowest at 87.9%. This 10.1 percentage point difference suggests notable variation in build quality or component durability across production years.
The most common MOT failure for the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto is Driver's View of the Road, affecting 4.3% of all tests. Driver's View of the Road issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. The second most common issue is Brakes at 4.3%. Non-component advisories rounds out the top three at 2.2%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Driver's View Of The Road | 4.3% | 4 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 4 |
| 3 | Non-component Advisories | 2.2% | 2 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 22,987 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 1.89 | 4.3% | 4 |
| Brakes | 1.89 | 4.3% | 4 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.95 | 2.2% | 2 |
| Tyres | 0.47 | 1.1% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Mazda Mx-5 I Auto has 22,987 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Mazda Mx-5 I Auto has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 2.35% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Mazda Mx-5 I Auto MOT Data
The Mazda Mx-5 I Auto is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 92 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 2 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 94.6% and a failure rate of 5.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Mazda Mx-5 I Auto owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on driver's view of the road and brakes for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Mx-5 I Auto is likely to perform.
Driver's View of the Road — 4.3% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 4.3% of MOT failures on the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto. Driver's View of the Road issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Brakes — 4.3% of failures
Brakes issues account for 4.3% of MOT failures on the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Non-component advisories — 2.2% of failures
Non-component advisories issues account for 2.2% of MOT failures on the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto. Non-component advisories issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto?
Based on 92 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto has an overall pass rate of 94.6% (5.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mazda Mx-5 I Auto?
The top 3 reasons a Mazda Mx-5 I Auto fails its MOT are: 1. Driver's View of the Road (4.3%), 2. Brakes (4.3%), 3. Non-component advisories (2.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Mazda Mx-5 I Auto reliable?
With a 5.4% MOT failure rate, the Mx-5 I Auto is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Mazda Mx-5 I Auto?
Based on failure data, focus on: Driver's View of the Road (4.3%); Brakes (4.3%); Non-component advisories (2.2%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.