2003 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,464 MOT tests, the 2003 Mazda MX-5 recorded a 72.8% pass rate. That is 4.7 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.9%) and brakes (11.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,471 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.9% in the 0-30k band and 31.0% 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 30.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.5% in 2021 to 26.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.9% | 3,381 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 3,283 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 2,952 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 2,004 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 1,716 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.8% | 1,364 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,471 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 1,949 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 1,945 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 1,436 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 1,261 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 1,226 |
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 | 30.5% | 8,676 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.7% | 8,465 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.0% | 4,851 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 4,278 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 2,728 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 2,581 |
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 | 1,022 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 6,187 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 10,874 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 7,098 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 2,209 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,058 | 31.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,208 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 6,442 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 5,749 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 4,780 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 4,285 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 MX-5
On a 2003 MX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (11.9% 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.
- Brakes (11.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2003 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 28,464 2003 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 11.9% of tests, followed by brakes (11.5%).
Does the 2003 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,464 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.