At a Glance
The Mazda Mx-5 has 12 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the Mk2 NB (1998-2005) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.9M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mazda Mx-5 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mazda Mx-5 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Mazda Mx-5 Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Mk1 NA
Top issue: Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst)
Mk2 NB
Top issue: Brake caliper fault
Mk3 NC
Top issue: Suspension linkage condition
Mk4 ND
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
Most Common Mazda Mx-5 MOT Failures
Every reason Mazda Mx-5 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 9.66% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.60% |
| 3 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 5.09% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 4.55% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 4.45% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.19% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.13% |
| 8 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.97% |
| 9 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 3.62% |
| 10 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.24% |
| 11 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.24% |
| 12 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 3.18% |
| 13 | Front lamp not working | 3.11% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.84% |
| 15 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.52% |
| 16 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.41% |
| 17 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.33% |
| 18 | Exhaust system fault | 2.01% |
| 19 | Fog lamp not working | 1.99% |
| 20 | Stop lamp not working | 1.83% |
| 21 | Chassis condition | 1.74% |
| 22 | Position lamp not working | 1.57% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.57% |
| 24 | Headlamp fault | 1.51% |
| 25 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.31% |
| 26 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.17% |
| 27 | Track rod end worn | 1.14% |
| 28 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.89% |
| 29 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.76% |
| 30 | Horn not working | 0.71% |
| 31 | Indicator fault | 0.68% |
| 32 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.67% |
| 33 | Parking brake condition | 0.66% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.65% |
| 35 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.61% |
| 36 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.59% |
| 37 | Steering rack fault | 0.59% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.46% |
| 39 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.44% |
| 40 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.39% |
| 41 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.37% |
| 42 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.36% |
| 43 | Brake fluid leak | 0.33% |
| 44 | Rear lamp not working | 0.28% |
| 45 | Brake caliper fault | 0.28% |
| 46 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.24% |
| 47 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.23% |
| 48 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.22% |
| 49 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.22% |
| 50 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.21% |
| 51 | Seat belt condition | 0.20% |
| 52 | Airbag warning light on | 0.19% |
| 53 | Front suspension fault | 0.15% |
| 54 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 55 | Brake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 56 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.13% |
| 57 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.12% |
| 58 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 59 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.12% |
| 60 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.11% |
| 61 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 62 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.09% |
| 63 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.08% |
| 65 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Rear suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 68 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 69 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.06% |
| 72 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 74 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 75 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.04% |
| 76 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.04% |
| 78 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.03% |
| 79 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driveshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.03% |
| 84 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 87 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 93 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 96 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 98 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 99 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 102 | Body strengthening plate corroded | 0.01% |
| 103 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 105 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Steering free play excessive | 0.01% |
| 107 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 110 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 112 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 118 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 124 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 125 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 126 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 127 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 128 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 136 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 142 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 145 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 157 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 163 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 168 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 170 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 176 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 177 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 178 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 182 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 188 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mazda Mx-5 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mazda Mx-5, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mazda Mx-5 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.9M Mazda Mx-5 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 12 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Suspension linkage condition". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Mazda Mx-5 generation has the most problems?
The Mazda Mx-5 Mk2 NB (1998-2005) (1998–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mazda Mx-5?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mazda Mx-5 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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