2009 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Mazda MX-5 passed 81.4% of its 25,370 recorded MOT tests. That is 1.7 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 10.3% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 1,726 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.6% versus 11.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.3% | 2,627 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 1,574 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 1,352 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 923 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 631 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.5% | 630 |
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 | 1,726 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 983 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 806 |
| 4 | Wipers | 653 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 571 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 471 |
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 | 21.8% | 5,536 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.2% | 5,370 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.7% | 4,483 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 1,358 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.7% | 941 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 942 |
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 | 2,310 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 10,009 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 8,655 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 3,297 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 837 | 28.5% |
| 150k+ | 252 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,222 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 5,085 | 16.9% |
| 2023 | 5,102 | 18.6% |
| 2024 | 5,055 | 19.7% |
| 2025 | 4,906 | 20.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 MX-5
On a 2009 MX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.3% 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 (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.3% 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 2009 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
81.4% of the 25,370 2009 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 10.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.2%).
Does the 2009 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,370 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.