2008 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
33,344 MOT tests on the 2008 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 79.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (21.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 11.7% of tests against 6.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 2,199 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.7% versus 13.1%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 19.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.7% | 3,908 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 2,137 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.2% | 2,070 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 1,319 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.8% | 943 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 921 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 2,199 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 1,482 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,047 |
| 4 | Wipers | 916 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 828 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 788 |
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 | 25.1% | 8,386 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.8% | 7,598 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.4% | 6,123 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 2,139 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 1,486 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.9% | 1,301 |
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 | 2,421 | 13.1% |
| 30-60k | 11,407 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 12,343 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 5,289 | 24.9% |
| 120-150k | 1,387 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 448 | 27.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,944 | 19.9% |
| 2022 | 6,758 | 19.4% |
| 2023 | 6,776 | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 6,518 | 20.8% |
| 2025 | 6,348 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (11.7% 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 (6.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.2% 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 2008 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
79.5% of the 33,344 2008 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.4%).
Does the 2008 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.1% in the 0-30k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 33,344 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.