1996 · 28 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1996 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,092 MOT tests in 2024. 66.2% passed first time, compared with 66.2% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time66.2%
Failed or needed repairs33.8%
Typical mileage at test94,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,092 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.5%
  2. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.2%
  3. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced3.9%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.5%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  6. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side2.6%
  7. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements2.5%
  8. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced2.3%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.0%
  10. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes21.4%
  2. Lights & electrics17.5%
  3. Emissions & leaks16.4%
  4. Suspension13.1%
  5. Body & chassis8.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.7%
  7. Seat belts & airbags4.9%
  8. Tyres2.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.1%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded10.4%
  3. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened8.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.6%
  5. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened6.4%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. 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 1996 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 66.2% of 1996 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,092 tests. The average for all 28-year-old cars was 66.2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1996 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1996 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

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