2013 · 11 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2013 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,041 MOT tests in 2024. 80.1% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

120Well above average
Passed first time80.1%
Failed or needed repairs19.9%
Typical mileage at test45,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,041 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.5%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.2%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.7%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
    44 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.8%
    41 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics7.7%
  2. Suspension7.6%
  3. Brakes5.8%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.7%
  5. Tyres3.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.5%
  7. Body & chassis0.6%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.3%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.1%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.6%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened4.7%

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 2013 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 80.1% of 2013 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,041 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; position lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2013 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 120, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).