2011 Mazda Mpv — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Mazda Mpv passed 68.3% of its 315 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (22.8% fail rate), the 2011 Mpv comes out 9.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests against 17.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 89 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.7% in the 90-120k band and 34.1% in the 150k+ band, a 8.4-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.9% in 2021 to 26.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 65 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.5% | 55 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 34 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.2% | 32 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 26 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 20 |
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 | 89 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 22 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 21 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 21 |
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 | 30.8% | 97 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.8% | 94 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.9% | 72 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 60 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.7% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 40 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 70 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 36.7% |
| 150k+ | 132 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 192 | 29.7% |
| Diesel | 123 | 35.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83 | 34.9% |
| 2022 | 66 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 68 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 56 | 39.3% |
| 2025 | 42 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Mpv
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.8% 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 2011 Mazda Mpvs pass their MOT?
68.3% of the 315 2011 Mazda Mpv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mazda Mpv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by suspension (17.5%).
Does the 2011 Mpv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.7% in the 90-120k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 315 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.