2011 · 13 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2011 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,325 MOT tests in 2024. 74.7% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

121Well above average
Passed first time74.7%
Failed or needed repairs25.3%
Typical mileage at test52,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,325 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.8%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.0%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
    63 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%
  7. Position lamp: not working1.1%
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension13.5%
  2. Brakes9.2%
  3. Lights & electrics8.3%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.3%
  5. Tyres3.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks3.2%
  7. Body & chassis0.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened9.0%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.3%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding6.9%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick6.8%

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: 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 2011 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 74.7% of 2011 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,325 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; service brake performance: excessively binding; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2011 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 121, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).