2010 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
27,917 MOT tests on the 2010 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 82.7% of them passed. That is 1.9 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 19.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 9.3% of all tests — 3.7 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 1,682 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.5% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.3% | 2,597 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 1,564 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.0% | 1,393 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.5% | 975 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.8% | 792 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 457 |
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 | 1,682 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 992 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 751 |
| 4 | Wipers | 689 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 530 |
| 6 | Washers | 521 |
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 | 20.9% | 5,829 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.1% | 5,613 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.5% | 5,164 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 1,246 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.5% | 979 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 960 |
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 | 3,611 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 12,013 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 8,960 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,705 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 530 | 23.8% |
| 150k+ | 98 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,614 | 15.6% |
| 2022 | 5,672 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 5,581 | 17.0% |
| 2024 | 5,553 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 5,497 | 18.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 MX-5
On a 2010 MX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.3% 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 (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.0% 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 2010 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
82.7% of the 27,917 2010 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.6%).
Does the 2010 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 24.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 27,917 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.