MOT Results

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Mazda MX-5 MOT Results

68.4% pass rate
from 591 tests in 2021
(22% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
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.

  • 12% fail on Brakes (37% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 9.6% fail on Brake performance (42% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 5.6% fail on Parking brake efficiency (sp) (100% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 5.6% fail on Rbt (sp) (120% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.6% fail on Parking brake performance (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 3.6% fail on Rbt (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 3.2% fail on Parking brake performance (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
          • 0.17% fail on Parking (secondary brake performance)
          • 0.17% fail on Parking brake efficiency (Trikes, quads and pre-68 vehicles)
      • 2.7% fail on Service brake performance
        • 2.7% fail on Rbt
          • 2.2% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.51% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 1.7% fail on Service Brake Efficiency (sp)
        • 1.7% fail on Rbt (sp)
          • 1.2% fail on Service brake performance
          • 0.68% fail on Service brake imbalance
      • 0.68% fail on Brake performance not tested
    • 2.4% fail on Rigid brake pipes (110% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.51% fail on Service brake pedal or hand lever
      • 0.34% fail on Hand lever
      • 0.17% fail on Pedal
    • 0.34% fail on Parking brake control
      • 0.34% fail on Lever
    • 0.34% fail on Hydraulic systems
      • 0.34% fail on Reservoirs (7 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.34% fail on Flexible brake hoses
    • 0.34% fail on Mechanical brake components
      • 0.17% fail on Brake discs and drums
        • 0.17% fail on Brake discs
      • 0.17% fail on Brake cables, rods, levers and linkages
        • 0.17% fail on Lever
    • 0.17% fail on Brake actuators (including spring brakes or hydraulic cylinders)
      • 0.17% fail on Hydraulic brake callipers
    • 0.17% fail on Other components and prescribed areas
      • 0.17% fail on Prescribed areas
        • 0.17% fail on Master cylinder/servo mounting
  • 12% fail on Suspension (60% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 4.2% fail on Springs (5 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 4.2% fail on Coil springs (10 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 4.2% fail on Coil spring (11 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Component mounting prescribed areas
    • 2.9% fail on Suspension arms
      • 1.9% fail on Ball joint (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 1.0% fail on Ball joint dust cover
      • 0.34% fail on Suspension arm
      • 0.17% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
    • 1.5% fail on Anti-roll bars (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.51% fail on Linkage (7 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.51% fail on Linkage pins and bushes
      • 0.17% fail on Anti-roll bar
      • 0.17% fail on Attachment bracket and mounting
      • 0.17% fail on Pins and bushes
      • 0.17% fail on Linkage ball joints
    • 0.85% fail on Shock absorbers
    • 0.68% fail on Wheel bearings
    • 0.68% fail on Sub-frames
      • 0.68% fail on Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas
    • 0.17% fail on Macpherson strut
      • 0.17% fail on Pins and bushes
    • 0.17% fail on Suspension rods
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint dust cover
    • 0.17% fail on Other suspension component
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint
      • 0.17% fail on Ball joint dust cover
  • 12% fail on Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
    • 4.4% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 4.2% fail on Headlamp aim
      • 0.17% fail on Headlamp aim not tested
    • 3.2% fail on Front and rear fog lamps
      • 3.2% fail on Rear fog lamp
        • 3.2% fail on Rear fog lamp
    • 2.5% fail on Headlamps
      • 2.2% fail on Headlamp
      • 0.17% fail on Matched pair
      • 0.17% fail on Dipswitch
    • 2.4% fail on Electrical equipment
      • 1.7% fail on Horn
      • 1.0% fail on Battery(ies)
    • 1.9% fail on Direction indicators
      • 1.9% fail on Flashing type
        • 1.2% fail on Individual direction indicators
        • 0.51% fail on Side repeaters
        • 0.17% fail on All direction indicators
    • 1.0% fail on Registration plate lamp(s)
    • 0.85% fail on Stop lamp (65% better than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 0.51% fail on Mandatory tell-tales
      • 0.51% fail on Rear fog lamp tell-tale
      • 0.17% fail on Main beam tell-tale
    • 0.17% fail on Position lamps
      • 0.17% fail on Position lamp
  • 6.8% fail on Visibility
    • 3.9% fail on Washers
    • 2.5% fail on Wipers
    • 0.51% fail on View to rear
      • 0.51% fail on Mirrors
    • 0.34% fail on Condition of glass (7 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Windscreen (8 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
  • 5.2% fail on Body, chassis, structure
    • 2.4% fail on Chassis (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 2.4% fail on Chassis condition (160% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Strengthening plate
    • 1.9% fail on Exhaust system
    • 1.7% fail on Integral vehicle structure
      • 1.5% fail on Integral vehicle structure condition
      • 0.17% fail on Sub-frame
        • 0.17% fail on Strengthening plate
    • 0.34% fail on Body
      • 0.34% fail on Panel
    • 0.17% fail on Fuel system
      • 0.17% fail on Fuel cap/sealing device
    • 0.17% fail on Seats
      • 0.17% fail on Driver's seat
  • 4.6% fail on Noise, emissions and leaks
    • 4.2% fail on Exhaust emissions
      • 4.2% fail on Spark ignition
        • 2.4% fail on Non catalyst emissions
        • 1.4% fail on Catalyst emissions (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
        • 0.51% fail on Emissions not tested
    • 0.34% fail on Fluid leaks
      • 0.17% fail on Engine oil leaks
      • 0.17% fail on Hydraulic fluid leaks
  • 3.7% fail on Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
    • 3.7% fail on Seat belts (130% worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 3.7% fail on Prescribed areas (2 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.17% fail on Attachment
  • 2.7% fail on Steering
    • 1.4% fail on Steering linkage components
      • 1.4% fail on Track rod end
    • 0.85% fail on Steering gear
      • 0.85% fail on Steering rack
    • 0.85% fail on Power steering
      • 0.68% fail on Other components (3 times worse than other pre-1990 cars)
      • 0.34% fail on Operation
      • 0.17% fail on Pipes and hoses
  • 2.0% fail on Tyres
    • 1.5% fail on Condition
    • 0.51% fail on Tread depth
  • 0.85% fail on Identification of the vehicle
    • 0.85% fail on Registration plates
  • 0.17% fail on Seat belt installation check
    • 0.17% fail on Anchorages
Read the Honest John Review

  • Mazda MX-5 1989 - 1997
    Superb handling, very reliable, good parts support, excellent value for money, lots of fun. (Model designation NA.)
  • Mazda MX-5 1998 - 2005
    Delightful handling, easy to use every day and reliable if not abused. Low running costs. Plenty around at keen prices.