MOT Results

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Mazda MX-5 MOT Results

59.5% pass rate
from 2,522 tests in 2017
(39% 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.

  • 22% fail on Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (32% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 7.8% fail on Rear fog lamp (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 7.1% fail on Fog lamp (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.6% fail on Tell tale (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.56% fail on Switch (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 6.1% fail on Headlamp aim (40% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.8% fail on Position lamps
      • 3.3% fail on Front lamps (52% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.63% fail on Rear lamps (57% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Registration plate lamp (39% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Headlamps
      • 3.5% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.12% fail on Headlamp defects which do require an aim check on retest
        • 0.12% fail on Main beam 'tell-tale'
      • 0.079% fail on Dipswitch
      • 0.040% fail on Headlamp defects which don't require an aim check on retest
        • 0.040% fail on Main beam 'tell-tale'
      • 0.040% fail on Switch
    • 2.6% fail on Stop lamp
    • 1.7% fail on Direction indicators (49% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.7% fail on Flashing type (49% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.83% fail on Individual lamps (51% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.71% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.28% fail on All direction indicators (68% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.040% fail on Tell tales
    • 1.7% fail on Horn
    • 1.3% fail on Battery
    • 0.36% fail on Hazard warning (60% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Switch
      • 0.16% fail on Lamp (71% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.20% fail on Electrical wiring
    • 0.079% fail on Rear reflectors
    • 0.079% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
  • 16% fail on Brakes (41% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 12% fail on Brake performance (39% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 6.9% fail on Parking brake performance (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 5.9% fail on Rear wheels (56% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.9% fail on Front wheels (27% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.87% fail on Service brake performance
      • 0.44% fail on Brake imbalance
      • 0.44% fail on Brake performance not tested
      • 0.12% fail on Brake operation
    • 4.7% fail on Hydraulic systems (39% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.7% fail on Components (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 3.1% fail on Pipes (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.48% fail on Hoses (59% better than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.24% fail on Reservoirs
        • 0.079% fail on Cylinders
        • 0.040% fail on Servos
        • 0.040% fail on Valves
      • 0.83% fail on Leaks
      • 0.36% fail on Brake fluid warning lamp (200% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.16% fail on Operation
    • 2.1% fail on Hub components (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.4% fail on Brake pads (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.48% fail on Brake calipers (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.32% fail on Brake discs
    • 0.99% fail on Parking brake
      • 0.99% fail on Condition
    • 0.56% fail on Restricted movement
    • 0.40% fail on Service brake control components
      • 0.40% fail on Pedal
        • 0.28% fail on Anti-slip
        • 0.12% fail on Condition
    • 0.12% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 0.079% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
      • 0.040% fail on Actuating linkage mounting
    • 0.079% fail on Mechanical components
      • 0.040% fail on Lever
      • 0.040% fail on Cable
    • 0.079% fail on Air and vacuum systems
      • 0.040% fail on Operation
      • 0.040% fail on Components
        • 0.040% fail on Pipes
        • 0.040% fail on Hoses
    • 0.040% fail on ABS
  • 15% fail on Suspension (53% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.9% fail on Prescribed areas
      • 3.2% fail on Component mounting
      • 1.9% fail on Subframe mounting (190% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.16% fail on Spring mounting (83% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Coil springs (9 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.7% fail on Condition (13 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.1% fail on Suspension arms (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.8% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Attachment (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Condition
    • 2.5% fail on Front suspension joints (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 2.0% fail on Shock absorbers (99% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.0% fail on Condition (99% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.5% fail on Anti-roll bars (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.63% fail on Linkage pins/bushes/ball joints (140% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.44% fail on Attachment (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.24% fail on Linkage condition
      • 0.20% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
      • 0.079% fail on Condition
    • 0.24% fail on Wheel bearings (86% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.20% fail on Rear (70% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.040% fail on Front
    • 0.16% fail on Front suspension retaining and locking devices
    • 0.079% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.079% fail on Condition
    • 0.079% fail on Drive shafts (92% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.079% fail on Any drive shaft which is part of the suspension
        • 0.040% fail on Universal joint
        • 0.040% fail on Drive shafts
    • 0.040% fail on Radius arms
      • 0.040% fail on Pins/bushes/ball joints
  • 7.2% fail on Driver's view of the road
    • 3.8% fail on Wipers (36% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.6% fail on Washers (24% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.56% fail on Windscreen (200% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.40% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.040% fail on Bonnet
  • 5.7% fail on Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 5.7% fail on Seat belts (170% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 5.7% fail on Prescribed areas (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Condition
  • 5.2% fail on Steering
    • 4.6% fail on Steering system (28% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.7% fail on Track rod end (84% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.9% fail on Steering rack (53% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.32% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.20% fail on Free play
        • 0.20% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.32% fail on Power steering
      • 0.12% fail on Operation
      • 0.079% fail on Pipes and hoses
      • 0.079% fail on Other components
      • 0.040% fail on Pump
      • 0.040% fail on Rams
    • 0.28% fail on Locking devices
    • 0.16% fail on Steering control
      • 0.16% fail on Steering wheel
    • 0.12% fail on Steering operation
  • 5.0% fail on Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions
    • 2.7% fail on Emissions
    • 2.1% fail on Exhaust system
    • 0.48% fail on Fuel system (62% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.32% fail on Cap
      • 0.079% fail on Pipe
      • 0.040% fail on Tank
      • 0.040% fail on System
    • 0.40% fail on Emissions not tested
  • 4.1% fail on Body, Structure and General Items
    • 2.3% fail on Body condition (74% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.5% fail on Vehicle structure
      • 1.5% fail on Chassis
    • 0.24% fail on Doors
      • 0.12% fail on Drivers
      • 0.12% fail on Passengers front
    • 0.12% fail on Seats (82% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.12% fail on Drivers (76% better than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.079% fail on Passengers
    • 0.079% fail on Speedometer
    • 0.040% fail on Engine mountings
    • 0.040% fail on Body security
  • 3.7% fail on Tyres (68% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.9% fail on Tread depth (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.7% fail on Condition
    • 0.16% fail on Size/type
    • 0.12% fail on Valve stem
  • 1.3% fail on Registration plates and VIN (61% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 1.3% fail on Registration plate (70% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 0.32% fail on Road Wheels
    • 0.32% fail on Attachment
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.