1995 · 29 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1995 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

652 MOT tests in 2024. 66.0% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time66.0%
Failed or needed repairs34.1%
Typical mileage at test92,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 652 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.1%
  2. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.0%
  3. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced4.0%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.8%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.4%
  6. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.6%
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.5%
  8. Service brake imbalance: across an axle2.3%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  10. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes18.7%
  2. Lights & electrics18.7%
  3. Emissions & leaks17.5%
  4. Suspension14.3%
  5. Body & chassis9.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.3%
  7. Seat belts & airbags5.4%
  8. Steering2.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded8.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.4%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened7.2%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.6%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1995 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 66.0% of 1995 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 652 tests. The average for all 29-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1995 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1995 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).