2011 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,994 MOT tests, the 2011 Mazda MX-5 recorded an 83.9% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (17.8% fail rate), the 2011 MX-5 comes out 1.8pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 8.4% of tests against 5.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 1,055 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.4% versus 10.7%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 20.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.4% | 1,688 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 1,009 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.1% | 1,009 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 684 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.7% | 543 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 296 |
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 | 1,055 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 727 |
| 3 | Wipers | 536 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 464 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 342 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 327 |
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 | 20.4% | 4,089 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.3% | 3,861 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.5% | 3,501 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 701 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 683 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.9% | 578 |
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 | 3,569 | 10.7% |
| 30-60k | 9,499 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 5,218 | 18.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,371 | 23.1% |
| 120-150k | 252 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 85 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,019 | 14.8% |
| 2022 | 4,005 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 4,057 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 3,995 | 17.6% |
| 2025 | 3,918 | 16.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 8.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (8.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (5.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.1% 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 2011 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
83.9% of the 19,994 2011 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (5.1%).
Does the 2011 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.7% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,994 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.