2006 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 41,061 MOT tests, the 2006 Mazda MX-5 recorded a 75.8% pass rate. That is 2.2 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 14.0% of tests against 6.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, coil spring and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 3,976 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.6% versus 11.4%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.0% | 5,740 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 2,838 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 2,569 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 1,799 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 1,687 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 1,545 |
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 | 3,976 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 2,003 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 1,848 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,684 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,321 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,111 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.5% | 11,716 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.1% | 9,500 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.8% | 7,326 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 3,194 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 3,099 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.0% | 1,659 |
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 | 1,720 | 11.4% |
| 30-60k | 10,427 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 16,450 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 9,158 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 2,559 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 700 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,000 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 8,805 | 24.2% |
| 2023 | 8,414 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 7,714 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 7,128 | 24.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.3% 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 2006 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 41,061 2006 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.9%).
Does the 2006 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,061 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.