2001 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
13,246 MOT tests on the 2001 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 75.1% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 2.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (10.9%) and lighting & signalling (10.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 1,278 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.2% in the 0-30k band and 30.3% in the 150k+ band, a 19.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.6% in 2021 to 22.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.9% | 1,450 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 1,438 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 1,197 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 1,102 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 635 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 526 |
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 | 1,278 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 701 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 592 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 567 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 520 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 508 |
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 | 30.1% | 3,982 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.0% | 3,971 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.1% | 2,268 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 2,054 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 1,653 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 1,322 |
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 | 385 | 11.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,275 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 4,193 | 24.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,631 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,722 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,026 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,300 | 25.6% |
| 2022 | 2,988 | 25.2% |
| 2023 | 2,657 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 2,244 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 2,057 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 MX-5
On a 2001 MX-5, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (10.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 2001 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 13,246 2001 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Mazda MX-5?
Brakes, recorded in 10.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.9%).
Does the 2001 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.2% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,246 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.