MAZDA MX 5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 10,558 MOT tests from 575 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every MAZDA MX 5 has the same fault.

MAZDA MX 5's have a very good reliability rating of 631/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MAZDA MX 5 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MAZDA MX 5.

MAZDA MX 5 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2019	880/999Excellent	107,696 miles	2,375 vehicles
Petrol	2018	834/999Excellent	115,660 miles	2,511 vehicles
Petrol	2015	807/999Excellent	112,069 miles	2,976 vehicles
Petrol	2012	687/999Good	92,880 miles	2,470 vehicles
Petrol	2011	661/999Good	82,820 miles	2,206 vehicles
Petrol	2010	646/999Good	83,010 miles	2,116 vehicles
Petrol	2009	620/999Good	79,864 miles	1,701 vehicles
Petrol	2008	588/999Above average	99,374 miles	1,876 vehicles
Petrol	2007	548/999Above average	107,196 miles	2,184 vehicles
Petrol	2003	461/999Average	97,014 miles	2,394 vehicles
Petrol	2002	452/999Average	95,811 miles	2,586 vehicles
Petrol	1999	508/999Above average	94,546 miles	1,092 vehicles
Petrol	1997	516/999Above average	93,505 miles	700 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA MX 5?

Based on 10,558 MOT tests from 575 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

575

MOT tests

10,558

Pass rate

77.5%

Median mileage

79,272 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MAZDA MX 5 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 579 out of 999.

Common MAZDA MX 5 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,166 advisory comments and 45 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 524 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 421 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 243 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 168 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 144 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 120 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 110 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

MAZDA MX 5 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2021	6	18	100%	Tyre wear
2019	13	88	94.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	8	60	96.7%	Anti-roll bar issues, Tyre wear
2016	22	196	88.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	9	100	82%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	14	169	84.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	23	293	83.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	20	290	82.1%	Brake pad wear, Corrosion
2011	27	425	79.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	26	440	81.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	27	502	78.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	31	605	77.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	60	1267	76.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	53	1180	76.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	18	419	76.4%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2004	19	404	79.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2003	30	718	77%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2002	36	796	78.5%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2001	10	234	80.3%	Suspension arm issues, Corrosion
2000	17	396	72.5%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1999	20	414	68.1%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1998	10	200	75.5%	Corrosion, Headlamp faults
1997	20	465	69.9%	Corrosion, Parking brake faults
1996	13	286	75.5%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1995	5	94	73.4%	Brake disc wear, Corrosion
1994	5	97	76.3%	Suspension arm issues, Corrosion
1992	6	126	72.2%	Corrosion, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used MAZDA MX 5

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a MAZDA MX 5?

Common problems tell you what can affect MAZDA MX 5s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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