2014 Mazda E Series — MOT failures & pass rate
301 MOT tests on the 2014 Mazda E Series are in this dataset, and 73.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 17.6% of the time, so this is 9.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.3% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, component mounting prescribed areas and rear fog lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 23 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 36.0% versus 21.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.6% in 2021 to 21.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 42 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.3% | 25 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 16 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 23 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 20 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 17 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 17 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.3% | 76 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.6% | 74 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 22.3% | 67 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.6% | 56 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.0% | 48 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 38 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 37 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 91 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 62 | 21.0% |
| 150k+ | 100 | 36.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 78 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 67 | 25.4% |
| 2024 | 41 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 38 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2014 E Series
On a 2014 E Series, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (8.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2014 Mazda E Seriess pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 301 2014 Mazda E Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Mazda E Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.3% of tests, followed by suspension (14.0%).
Does the 2014 E Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 60-90k band to 36.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 301 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.