2012 Mazda Mpv — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 280 MOT tests, the 2012 Mazda Mpv recorded a 69.6% pass rate. That is 9.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 21.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.2%) and suspension (12.9%) 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, ball joint dust cover and pins and bushes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 29 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 34.2% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 37 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 36 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.9% | 25 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 21 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 18 |
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 | 29 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 20 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 20 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 20 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 18 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 15 |
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 | 35.4% | 99 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.6% | 69 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 61 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.9% | 53 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 34 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.0% | 28 |
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 | 41 | 34.2% |
| 90-120k | 61 | 36.1% |
| 120-150k | 50 | 28.0% |
| 150k+ | 112 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 168 | 30.4% |
| Diesel | 112 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 67 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 65 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 47 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 38 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Mpv
On a 2012 Mpv, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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 (9.3% 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 2012 Mazda Mpvs pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 280 2012 Mazda Mpv MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mazda Mpv?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2012 Mpv get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.2% in the 60-90k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 280 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.