1998 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
16,720 MOT tests on the 1998 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 76.2% of them passed. That is 2.2 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.5%) and brakes (10.2%) 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 prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 1,769 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.8% versus 9.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 1,923 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 1,701 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 1,416 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.8% | 1,307 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 696 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 607 |
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 | 1,769 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 920 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 837 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 740 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 708 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 703 |
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 | 27.8% | 4,641 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 4,623 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.8% | 2,644 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 2,453 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 2,171 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 1,452 |
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 | 537 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,076 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,613 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,297 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,481 | 28.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,705 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,941 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 3,643 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 3,382 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 3,014 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 2,740 | 23.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 MX-5
On a 1998 MX-5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1998 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 16,720 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mazda MX-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 1998 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,720 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.