2013 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
17,529 MOT tests on the 2013 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 87.5% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (14.7% fail rate), the 2013 MX-5 comes out 2.3pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.1%) and lighting & signalling (4.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, coil spring and service brake performance — wipers alone was recorded 480 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.3% once past 120-150k — 3.4× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.1% | 889 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 809 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.8% | 658 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 583 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.8% | 489 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 142 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 480 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 390 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 342 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 324 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 318 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 309 |
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 | 19.5% | 3,421 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.0% | 2,986 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.9% | 2,960 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 592 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.4% | 588 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.1% | 552 |
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 | 4,624 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 8,932 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,204 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 682 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 25.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,469 | 9.9% |
| 2022 | 3,477 | 11.2% |
| 2023 | 3,526 | 12.8% |
| 2024 | 3,513 | 13.8% |
| 2025 | 3,544 | 14.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 5.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (5.1% 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 (4.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.8% 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 2013 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
87.5% of the 17,529 2013 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.6%).
Does the 2013 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 25.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,529 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.