2016 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,110 MOT tests, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 recorded a 91.9% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 10.8% of the time, so this is 2.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (4.3%) and visibility (2.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, brake pads and wipers — service brake performance alone was recorded 588 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.9% versus 5.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 19.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.3% | 946 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.4% | 538 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.2% | 494 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 447 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 259 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 136 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 588 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 481 |
| 3 | Wipers | 480 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 399 |
| 5 | Washers | 218 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 193 |
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 | 19.2% | 4,247 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.7% | 3,696 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.3% | 1,612 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 684 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.0% | 440 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 359 |
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 | 11,003 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 9,003 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,749 | 13.8% |
| 90-120k | 262 | 14.9% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 16.7% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,337 | 5.2% |
| 2022 | 4,395 | 7.2% |
| 2023 | 4,449 | 8.1% |
| 2024 | 4,450 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 4,479 | 10.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 MX-5
On a 2016 MX-5, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (4.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2016 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
91.9% of the 22,110 2016 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mazda MX-5?
Brakes, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.4%).
Does the 2016 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,110 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.