1990 · 34 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

521 MOT tests in 2024. 70.8% passed first time, compared with 72.0% for all cars the same age.

98About average
Passed first time70.8%
Failed or needed repairs29.2%
Typical mileage at test108,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 521 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.6%
  2. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced2.7%
  3. Rear fog lamp: not working2.5%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.3%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.3%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  7. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.1%
  8. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1%
  9. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side1.9%
  10. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics20.7%
  2. Brakes14.0%
  3. Suspension12.3%
  4. Body & chassis6.5%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks4.6%
  7. Steering4.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.9%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.7%
  4. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened5.6%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All MX-5 years1991 MX-5 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 70.8% of 1990 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 521 tests. The average for all 34-year-old cars was 72.0%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1990 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced; rear fog lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1990 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).