1991 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,234 MOT tests on the 1991 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 76.0% of them passed. That is 5.4 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 18.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests against 9.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, prescribed areas and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 240 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.9% once past 150k — 3.8× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 543 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 404 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 389 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 206 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 196 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 150 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 240 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 207 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 181 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 178 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 174 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 162 |
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 | 27.3% | 1,156 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.6% | 1,082 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 834 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.4% | 608 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 572 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.1% | 301 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 154 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 334 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 851 | 21.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,276 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 921 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 696 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 792 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 780 | 23.7% |
| 2023 | 727 | 22.8% |
| 2024 | 947 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 988 | 24.7% |
What to check before buying a 1991 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.5% 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.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
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 1991 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 4,234 1991 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Mazda MX-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by brakes (9.5%).
Does the 1991 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 29.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,234 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.