Mazda MX-5
Registered from 1990 to 2024.
About this model
The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-seat sports car manufactured and marketed by Mazda. In Japan, it is marketed as the Mazda Roadster or, previously, as the Eunos Roadster. In the United States it is sold as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The name miata derives from Old High German for "reward".
From the Wikipedia article Mazda MX-5, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2007 2.0 petrol. 1,058 of 5,040 tests failed, 21%.
Better than 78% of 2007 cars. The typical one fails 27%, across 935 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 52% | 547 |
| Brakes | 29% | 306 |
| Lights and electrics | 19% | 205 |
| Tyres and wheels | 14% | 151 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 14% | 146 |
| Visibility | 14% | 146 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 52% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 29% of its failures
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Tyres and wheels — 14% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Exhaust and emissions — 14% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 19% of its failures
- Visibility — 14% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 160–180k miles this one fails 36% of its inspections, against the 30% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 9% | 12% | 102 | |
| 20–40k miles | 13% | 16% | 535 | |
| 40–60k miles | 18% | 21% | 1,191 | |
| 60–80k miles | 21% | 24% | 1,318 | |
| 80–100k miles | 24% | 27% | 970 | |
| 100–120k miles | 26% | 29% | 556 | |
| 120–140k miles | 29% | 30% | 227 | |
| 140–160k miles | 29% | 30% | 80 | |
| 160–180k miles | 36% | 30% | 44 |
5,023 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 60k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.0 petrol · 181 hp · 1126 kg · 2312 mm wheelbase · 6.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 petrol · 1100 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 petrol · 1105 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.0 petrol · 1075 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 6.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2.0 petrol · 183 hp · 1125 kg · 2332 mm wheelbase · 6.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00177/22
The impeller in the low-pressure fuel pump may become deformed causing fuel pomping failure. This may result in the engine no start and/or stall, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
SR/01996/25
When reversing, the vehicle's screen and warning sound may not properly alert the driver of obstacles or their distance. This can also cause the Smart Brake Support system to malfunction, increasing the risk of an accident and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users