2000 Mazda Mx-5 + — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,689 MOT tests analysed for the 2000 Mazda Mx-5 +, the most common recorded failure areas were emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.1% was below the average for coupes & convertibles of a similar age (77.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.3% in the 150k+ group versus 12.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 2,424 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 2,180 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.6% | 1,989 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.4% | 1,567 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 913 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 745 |
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 | 3,063 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 942 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 925 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 903 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 891 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 883 |
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 | 30.4% | 5,684 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.8% | 5,579 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.0% | 2,992 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.3% | 2,865 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.9% | 2,415 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 1,846 |
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 | 533 | 12.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,853 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 5,922 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,252 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,617 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,497 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,576 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 4,222 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 3,807 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 3,189 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 2,895 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Mx-5 +
Before buying a 2000 Mazda Mx-5 +, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Emissions & environmental accounted for 13.0% of tests for this year.
- Emissions & environmental (13.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.6% 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.
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 2000 Mazda Mx-5 +s pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 18,689 2000 Mazda Mx-5 + MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Mazda Mx-5 +?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.7%).
Does the 2000 Mx-5 + get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,689 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.