MAZDA MX 5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,343 MOT tests from 286 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)

Check a Mazda Mx 5 before you buy

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

How reliable is the MAZDA MX 5?

Based on 5,343 MOT tests from 286 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

286

MOT tests

5,343

Pass rate

77.6%

Median mileage

79,040 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 574 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 538 advisory comments and 26 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 242 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 195 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 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 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 115 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: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 83 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))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 50 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 (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 47 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 lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

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
2019	7	37	100%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	5	38	97.4%	Anti-roll bar issues, Suspension arm issues
2016	8	77	87%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	5	57	82.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	7	84	84.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	9	117	80.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	10	143	83.2%	Shock absorber issues, Tyre wear
2011	13	220	75.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	15	255	82%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	16	289	79.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	17	335	75.8%	Corrosion, Anti-roll bar issues
2007	30	650	76.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	30	657	76.3%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2005	11	258	76.4%	Corrosion, Suspension arm issues
2004	10	213	81.2%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2003	17	424	75.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2002	13	302	78.8%	Brake disc wear, Corrosion
2000	6	150	74.7%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
1999	8	174	69%	Corrosion, Brake pad wear
1998	5	118	73.7%	Headlamp faults, Corrosion
1997	11	269	71.4%	Corrosion, Parking brake faults
1996	6	126	80.2%	Brake disc wear, Corrosion

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.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

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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