2008 Mazda Mpv — MOT failures & pass rate
426 MOT tests on the 2008 Mazda Mpv are in this dataset, and 60.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.1% of the time, so this is 13.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (25.4%) and lighting & signalling (23.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, chassis condition and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 111 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 31.9% in the 60-90k band and 38.7% in the 150k+ band, a 6.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 38.7% in 2021 to 35.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 25.4% | 108 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 23.7% | 101 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 77 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.0% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.5% | 36 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 28 |
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 | 111 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 64 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 42 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 38 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 34 |
| 6 | Wipers | 32 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.9% | 136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.6% | 105 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.4% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.1% | 90 |
| 5 | Tyres | 20.7% | 88 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 76 |
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 | 47 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 43.0% |
| 120-150k | 107 | 41.1% |
| 150k+ | 181 | 38.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 335 | 40.9% |
| Petrol | 91 | 33.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 106 | 38.7% |
| 2022 | 110 | 40.0% |
| 2023 | 104 | 34.6% |
| 2024 | 66 | 48.5% |
| 2025 | 40 | 35.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Mpv
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 25.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (25.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (23.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (18.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2008 Mazda Mpvs pass their MOT?
60.8% of the 426 2008 Mazda Mpv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 39.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mazda Mpv?
Suspension, recorded in 25.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (23.7%).
Does the 2008 Mpv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.9% in the 60-90k band to 38.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 426 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.