MOT Results

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Mazda MX-5 MOT Results

64.5% pass rate
from 2,476 tests in 2020
(29% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
Number of tests by age
More MoT Results
Failure rates by item

Here you can drill down into the failure rates for each item on the test. We've also compared the rates to the average results for pre-1990 cars and highlighted areas where the Mazda MX-5 is unusually good or bad.

  • 16% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (21% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 6.1% fail on Front and rear fog lamps (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 6.1% fail on Rear fog lamp (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 6.1% fail on Rear fog lamp (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.48% fail on Switch (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.6% fail on Headlamp aim (29% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.4% fail on Headlamp aim (32% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 2.9% fail on Headlamps
      • 2.8% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.081% fail on Dipswitch
    • 2.2% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 1.4% fail on Horn
      • 0.81% fail on Battery(ies)
      • 0.081% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 1.9% fail on Position lamps
      • 1.9% fail on Position lamp
      • 0.040% fail on All position lamps
    • 1.9% fail on Direction indicators (31% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Flashing type (31% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.81% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.12% fail on All direction indicators (77% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Stop lamp
    • 1.2% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 1.1% fail on Mandatory tell-tales (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.93% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Main beam tell-tale
    • 0.24% fail on Hazard warning
      • 0.24% fail on Switch
    • 0.040% fail on Rear reflectors
  • 14% fail on Brakes (44% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 10% fail on Brake performance (43% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 6.2% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 6.1% fail on Rbt (sp) (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.12% fail on Decelerometer (sp)
        • 0.040% fail on Gradient tester (sp)
      • 3.5% fail on Parking brake performance (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 3.5% fail on Rbt (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 3.2% fail on Parking brake performance (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.28% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
          • 0.040% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
        • 0.040% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.040% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
      • 3.2% fail on Service brake performance
        • 3.2% fail on Rbt
          • 2.7% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.61% fail on Service brake imbalance
        • 0.081% fail on Decelerometer
          • 0.081% fail on Service brake performance
      • 1.6% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp) (47% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.6% fail on Rbt (sp) (45% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.89% fail on Service brake imbalance (57% better than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.85% fail on Service brake performance
      • 0.32% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 2.1% fail on Rigid brake pipes (76% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Mechanical brake components (90% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.1% fail on Brake linings and pads (150% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 1.1% fail on Brake pads (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.36% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.32% fail on Brake discs
        • 0.040% fail on Brake drums
      • 0.36% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.24% fail on Lever (7 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.081% fail on Cable
        • 0.040% fail on Pivot
    • 0.89% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders) (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.69% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers (4 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Hydraulic brake cylinder
    • 0.44% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.28% fail on Hand lever
      • 0.16% fail on Pedal
    • 0.44% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.28% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.28% fail on Lever
    • 0.24% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.16% fail on Brake fluid
      • 0.040% fail on Master cylinder
      • 0.040% fail on Reservoirs
    • 0.16% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.16% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.12% fail on Other braking system component
        • 0.081% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
    • 0.040% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.040% fail on Servos
  • 13% fail on Suspension (55% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.9% fail on Suspension arms (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.5% fail on Ball joint dust cover (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.2% fail on Ball joint (87% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.16% fail on Suspension arm
    • 3.6% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 3.5% fail on Springs (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.5% fail on Coil springs (8 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 3.5% fail on Coil spring (9 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.8% fail on Shock absorbers (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.1% fail on Anti-roll bars (81% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.44% fail on Linkage pins and bushes (200% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.16% fail on Linkage
      • 0.12% fail on Anti-roll bar
      • 0.12% fail on Linkage ball joints
      • 0.081% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.73% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.73% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.32% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.16% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.12% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.040% fail on Other suspension component
    • 0.24% fail on Wheel bearings (84% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.16% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.081% fail on Ball joint dust cover (20 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.040% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.040% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 0.040% fail on Suspension rods
      • 0.040% fail on Ball joint dust cover
  • 6.3% fail on Visibility
    • 3.4% fail on Wipers (39% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.9% fail on Washers (32% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.36% fail on View to rear
      • 0.36% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.20% fail on Condition of glass (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Windscreen (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.12% fail on Driver's view
    • 0.040% fail on Bonnet
  • 5.7% fail on Body, chassis, structure
    • 1.8% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.7% fail on Integral vehicle structure (75% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition (78% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Chassis (61% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Chassis condition (59% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.040% fail on Strengthening plate
    • 0.32% fail on Body
      • 0.24% fail on Panel
      • 0.081% fail on Other body component
    • 0.16% fail on Transmission (88% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Drive shafts (89% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.12% fail on Joints (88% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.040% fail on Prop shafts
        • 0.040% fail on Prop shaft
    • 0.16% fail on Floor
    • 0.12% fail on Fuel system (87% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.081% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
      • 0.040% fail on Pipe
    • 0.081% fail on Bumpers
    • 0.040% fail on Seats
      • 0.040% fail on Passenger's seat
    • 0.040% fail on Boot lid
      • 0.040% fail on Boot lid condition
    • 0.040% fail on Cabs
      • 0.040% fail on Prescribed areas
    • 0.040% fail on Undertray
  • 4.3% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 3.9% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 3.9% fail on Spark ignition
        • 2.2% fail on Non catalyst emissions
        • 1.2% fail on Catalyst emissions (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.53% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.48% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.32% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.12% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
      • 0.040% fail on Other leaks
  • 4.2% fail on Steering
    • 2.2% fail on Steering linkage components
      • 1.9% fail on Track rod end (59% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.28% fail on Locking devices
      • 0.040% fail on Ball joint
    • 1.6% fail on Steering gear
      • 1.6% fail on Steering rack (56% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.48% fail on Power steering
      • 0.28% fail on Other components
      • 0.12% fail on Pipes and hoses
      • 0.040% fail on Operation
      • 0.040% fail on Pump
      • 0.040% fail on Rams
    • 0.16% fail on Steering wheel
    • 0.081% fail on Steering play
      • 0.081% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.040% fail on Steering column
  • 4.2% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.2% fail on Seat belts (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.0% fail on Prescribed areas (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Condition
      • 0.081% fail on Attachment
    • 0.040% fail on SRS malfunction indicator lamp
  • 3.0% fail on Tyres (91% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Tread depth (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.3% fail on Condition
    • 0.081% fail on Size/type
  • 1.4% fail on Identification of the vehicle (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.4% fail on Registration plates (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.040% fail on Vehicle Identification Number
  • 0.28% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.24% fail on Attachment
    • 0.040% fail on Condition
  • 0.081% fail on Seat belt installation check
    • 0.081% fail on Anchorages
  • 0.040% fail on Speedometer and speed limiter
    • 0.040% fail on Speedometer
Read the Honest John Review

  • Mazda MX-5 1989
    Superb handling, very reliable, good parts support, excellent value for money, lots of fun. (Model designation NA.)
  • Mazda MX-5 1998
    Delightful handling, easy to use every day and reliable if not abused. Low running costs. Plenty around at keen prices.