1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,494 MOT tests in 2024. 67.6% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time67.6%
Failed or needed repairs32.4%
Typical mileage at test95,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,494 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.5%
  2. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.6%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.2%
  4. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced3.0%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.0%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.6%
  7. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits2.4%
  8. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side2.2%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.9%
  10. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes20.0%
  2. Lights & electrics19.7%
  3. Emissions & leaks17.6%
  4. Suspension11.1%
  5. Body & chassis6.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.5%
  7. Seat belts & airbags3.8%
  8. Tyres3.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.8%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.5%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.1%
  4. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened7.9%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. 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 1998 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 67.6% of 1998 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,494 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1998 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).