2005 Mazda Mx-5 + — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 21,938 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mazda Mx-5 +, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 74.8% was below the average for coupes & convertibles of a similar age (77.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.3% in the 150k+ group versus 11.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.4% | 2,273 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 2,161 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 2,059 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 1,343 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 1,249 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.0% | 886 |
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 | 1,934 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 1,298 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 1,234 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,024 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 939 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 829 |
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 | 28.5% | 6,261 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.5% | 6,243 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.9% | 3,716 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 3,042 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.4% | 1,840 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 1,641 |
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 | 1,094 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 5,714 | 19.2% |
| 60-90k | 8,390 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,476 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,477 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 768 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,216 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 4,843 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 4,430 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 3,906 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 3,543 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Mx-5 +
Before buying a 2005 Mazda Mx-5 +, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 10.4% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (10.4% 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 (9.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% 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 2005 Mazda Mx-5 +s pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 21,938 2005 Mazda Mx-5 + MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mazda Mx-5 +?
Suspension, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by brakes (9.8%).
Does the 2005 Mx-5 + get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 21,938 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.