2015 Mazda E Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 786 MOT tests, the 2015 Mazda E Series recorded a 73.8% pass rate. That is 10.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 15.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 58 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.8% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 135 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 87 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 54 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.5% | 51 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 44 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 33 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 58 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 58 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 57 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 54 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 52 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 35 |
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 | 28.5% | 224 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.6% | 209 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.5% | 169 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 138 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.1% | 134 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 83 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 54 | 22.2% |
| 60-90k | 205 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 196 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 150 | 25.3% |
| 150k+ | 180 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 188 | 22.9% |
| 2022 | 193 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 176 | 23.9% |
| 2024 | 124 | 31.4% |
| 2025 | 105 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2015 E Series
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (6.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2015 Mazda E Seriess pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 786 2015 Mazda E Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Mazda E Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 2015 E Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 30-60k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 786 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.