2010 · 14 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2010 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

4,596 MOT tests in 2024. 73.7% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

124Well above average
Passed first time73.7%
Failed or needed repairs26.3%
Typical mileage at test58,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,596 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.7%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.2%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    94 marked dangerous
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  6. Position lamp: not working1.3%
  7. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.3%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.3%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension14.0%
  2. Lights & electrics9.3%
  3. Brakes8.9%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  5. Tyres3.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.4%
  7. Body & chassis1.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.4%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.2%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened7.1%

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: 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.

← 2009 MX-5All MX-5 years2011 MX-5 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2010 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 73.7% of 2010 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,596 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; service brake performance: excessively binding; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2010 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 124, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).