2012 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Mazda MX-5 passed 86.7% of its 17,822 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.9 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 16.3%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.0%) and brakes (4.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, service brake performance and wipers — coil spring alone was recorded 567 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.6% versus 8.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 18.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.0% | 1,068 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.4% | 789 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.3% | 767 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 575 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.5% | 453 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.2% | 206 |
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 | 567 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 507 |
| 3 | Wipers | 423 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 370 |
| 5 | Washers | 283 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 281 |
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 | 18.6% | 3,312 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 3,272 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.4% | 3,102 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.3% | 589 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 547 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 531 |
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 | 4,038 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 8,868 | 13.1% |
| 60-90k | 3,969 | 17.4% |
| 90-120k | 789 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 131 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,546 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 3,567 | 12.0% |
| 2023 | 3,572 | 13.6% |
| 2024 | 3,584 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 3,553 | 14.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 MX-5
On a 2012 MX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.0% 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.
- Brakes (4.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2012 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
86.7% of the 17,822 2012 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by brakes (4.4%).
Does the 2012 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,822 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.