2014 · 10 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2014 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,795 MOT tests in 2024. 82.3% passed first time, compared with 69.9% for all cars the same age.

118Well above average
Passed first time82.3%
Failed or needed repairs17.7%
Typical mileage at test38,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,795 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.1%
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    69 marked dangerous
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7%
  5. Position lamp: not working0.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.8%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.6%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes6.6%
  2. Suspension6.4%
  3. Lights & electrics5.2%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.7%
  5. Tyres3.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.9%
  7. Body & chassis0.3%
  8. Wheels0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.4%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm7.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.3%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.4%

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: service brake performance: excessively binding. 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 2014 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 82.3% of 2014 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,795 tests. The average for all 10-year-old cars was 69.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2014 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were service brake performance: excessively binding; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2014 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 118, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).