Mazda Mx-5 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mazda Mx-5 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 95,476 UK MOT tests of the Mazda Mx-5 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 3% of tests of 2013–2015 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 7.5× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: prescribed areas (prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced) (6.9×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (6.1×); service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (5.6×). The most common reasons a Mazda Mx-5 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mazda Mx-5
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mazda Mx-5 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3% | 0.4% | 7.5× | 2,467 |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | MOT fail | 2003–2005 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 6.2% | 0.9% | 6.9× | 2,715 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 1995–1997 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.9% | 0.8% | 6.1× | 696 |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.5% | 0.8% | 5.6× | 579 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 12% | 2.8% | 4.1× | 2,984 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.8% | 0.8% | 4.7× | 939 |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | MOT fail | 1999–2001 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 5.8% | 1.1% | 5.3× | 413 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | MOT fail | 2005–2007 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 6.7% | 1.8% | 3.7× | 3,911 |
Mazda Mx-5 by mileage (2017–2019 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 6,639 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (8.1%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (7.3%, 2.1×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4,972 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (14%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (14%, 2.2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 1,024 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (15%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (6.1%, 3.8×) |
Mazda Mx-5 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 607 | Nothing stands out |
| 1994 | 400 | Nothing stands out |
| 1995 | 729 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.8×) |
| 1996 | 1,167 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.1×) |
| 1997 | 1,967 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4.5×) |
| 1998 | 2,790 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.6×) |
| 1999 | 3,112 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.6×) |
| 2000 | 3,071 | Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (5.3×) |
| 2001 | 2,171 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4.1×) |
| 2002 | 3,599 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5.3×) |
| 2003 | 4,648 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5.9×) |
| 2004 | 3,707 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (7.4×) |
| 2005 | 3,603 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.5×) |
| 2006 | 6,760 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.8×) |
| 2007 | 7,878 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4×) |
| 2008 | 5,504 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.3×) |
| 2009 | 4,231 | Service brake performance: excessively binding at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.6×) |
| 2010 | 4,703 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.7×) |
| 2011 | 3,425 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.7×) |
| 2012 | 3,114 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3×) |
| 2013 | 3,104 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.6×) |
| 2014 | 2,860 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.5×) |
| 2015 | 2,970 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.3×) |
| 2016 | 4,116 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.6×) |
| 2017 | 4,551 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.9×) |
| 2018 | 4,265 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.8×) |
| 2019 | 4,060 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4.5×) |
| 2020 | 1,065 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.3×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Mazda Mx-5?
In 95,476 UK MOT tests of the Mazda Mx-5 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play): recorded on 3% of tests of 2013–2015 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 7.5× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: prescribed areas (prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced) (6.9×); coil spring (fractured or broken) (6.1×); service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (5.6×). The most common reasons a Mazda Mx-5 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).
Why do Mazda Mx-5s fail the MOT?
Across 95,476 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mazda Mx-5 were coil spring (fractured or broken) (5.6% of tests); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength) (6.7% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (2.3% of tests).
At what mileage do Mazda Mx-5 problems start?
The clearest Mazda Mx-5-specific issue, linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2013–2015 cars (3% of tests vs 0.4% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mazda Mx-5 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 95,476 tests of the Mazda Mx-5. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.