2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

4,225 MOT tests in 2024. 90.3% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time90.3%
Failed or needed repairs9.7%
Typical mileage at test24,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,225 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
    119 marked dangerous
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
    58 marked dangerous
  5. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn0.7%
  6. Headlamp aim: too high0.7%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.4%
    44 marked dangerous
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes3.9%
  2. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.0%
  3. Tyres2.8%
  4. Lights & electrics1.9%
  5. Suspension0.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.3%
  7. Body & chassis0.1%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.9%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.1%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.8%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%

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: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2017 MX-5All MX-5 years2019 MX-5 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 90.3% of 2018 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,225 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2018 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).