Mazda Bt-50
From 1,024 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame and spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired. The top issue, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, caused 67 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 67 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 43 |
| 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 | 33 |
| body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point | 32 |
| a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led | 28 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 27 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 27 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 24 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 23 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 22 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 17.5% of Bt-50 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 20.2% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £93.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 69.4% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 2008 | 69.6% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2007 | 72.4% | body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all Bt-50s tested had between 91,256 and 160,675 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 115,657 median miles, the Bt-50 has 0.026 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mazda models
| Mazda 2 | 74.5% |
| Mazda 3 | 75.2% |
| Mazda MX-5 | 78.7% |
| Mazda 6 | 75.5% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 84.2% |
Common questions
What is the Mazda Bt-50 MOT pass rate?
The Mazda Bt-50 has a 70% MOT pass rate based on 1,024 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mazda Bt-50?
The most common MOT failure on the Mazda Bt-50 is a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, which caused 67 failures. Other common issues include brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded.
What is the typical mileage of a Mazda Bt-50 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mazda Bt-50 is 115,657 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 91,256 and 160,675 miles.
Buying a used Bt-50?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 70% pass rate and an average repair bill of £93 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.