2015 · 9 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2015 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

2,931 MOT tests in 2024. 85.4% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

116Well above average
Passed first time85.4%
Failed or needed repairs14.6%
Typical mileage at test37,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,931 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
    59 marked dangerous
  3. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.6%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.4%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
    46 marked dangerous
  6. Headlamp aim: too high0.8%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.6%
  8. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.6%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes5.8%
  2. Lights & electrics4.3%
  3. Suspension3.7%
  4. Tyres3.0%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.3%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.3%
  8. Body & chassis0.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.2%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.7%

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: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. 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 2015 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 85.4% of 2015 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,931 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; service brake performance: excessively binding. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2015 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 116, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).