1992 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1992 Mazda MX-5 passed 74.7% of its 2,903 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.3 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 19.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and brakes (10.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 198 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.5% versus 20.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 395 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 312 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.1% | 292 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 182 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 153 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 118 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 198 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 172 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 158 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 127 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 123 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 117 |
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 | 30.0% | 871 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 805 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 634 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 456 |
| 5 | Tyres | 13.8% | 400 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 209 |
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 | 43 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 226 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 546 | 21.1% |
| 90-120k | 850 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 726 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 511 | 31.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 506 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 502 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 461 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 699 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 735 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 1992 MX-5
On a 1992 MX-5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.8% 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 (10.1% 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.
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 1992 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 2,903 1992 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Mazda MX-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by brakes (10.8%).
Does the 1992 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,903 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.