Mazda MX-5 R-Sport
From 263 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements and lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 4 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 tyre seriously damaged | 4 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 2 |
| lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 1 |
| a suspension component excessively damaged or corroded | 1 |
| brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 1 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 1 |
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 96.8% | a tyre seriously damaged, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all MX-5 R-Sports tested had between 11,622 and 20,587 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 14,540 median miles, the MX-5 R-Sport has 0.019 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 MX-5 R-Sport MOT pass rate?
The Mazda MX-5 R-Sport has a 97.3% MOT pass rate based on 263 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mazda MX-5 R-Sport?
The most common MOT failure on the Mazda MX-5 R-Sport is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 4 failures. Other common issues include the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements.
What is the typical mileage of a Mazda MX-5 R-Sport at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mazda MX-5 R-Sport is 14,540 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 11,622 and 20,587 miles.
Buying a used MX-5 R-Sport?
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.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.