2014 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2014 Mazda MX-5 passed 89.0% of its 15,895 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.2 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 13.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (4.2%) and brakes (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and service brake performance — wipers alone was recorded 415 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.5% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4.2% | 660 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 573 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 561 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 512 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.5% | 406 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 85 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 415 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 333 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 282 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 266 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 229 |
| 6 | Washers | 202 |
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 | 19.7% | 3,131 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.8% | 2,668 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.8% | 2,041 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 477 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 468 |
| 6 | Other defects | 2.5% | 397 |
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 | 6,189 | 7.8% |
| 30-60k | 7,310 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,940 | 16.7% |
| 90-120k | 348 | 21.8% |
| 120-150k | 67 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 19.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,128 | 8.3% |
| 2022 | 3,155 | 9.1% |
| 2023 | 3,204 | 11.1% |
| 2024 | 3,171 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 3,237 | 13.7% |
What to check before buying a 2014 MX-5
On a 2014 MX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (4.2% 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 (3.6% 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 (3.5% 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 2014 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
89.0% of the 15,895 2014 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Mazda MX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by brakes (3.6%).
Does the 2014 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 19.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,895 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.