2019 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
16,881 MOT tests on the 2019 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 95.4% of them passed. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (8.6% fail rate), the 2019 MX-5 comes out 4.0pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (1.9%) and visibility (1.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 293 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 3.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.1% once past 60-90k — 3.0× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.9% | 321 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.8% | 308 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 278 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 254 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 60 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 49 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 293 |
| 2 | Wipers | 237 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 205 |
| 4 | Washers | 156 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 93 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 83 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.7% | 2,486 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 2,210 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.1% | 524 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 443 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.9% | 322 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 142 |
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 | 13,865 | 3.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,799 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 189 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 135 | 4.4% |
| 2022 | 4,230 | 3.4% |
| 2023 | 4,221 | 3.8% |
| 2024 | 4,105 | 5.4% |
| 2025 | 4,190 | 5.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 1.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (1.9% 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.
- Visibility (1.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% 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 2019 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
95.4% of the 16,881 2019 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mazda MX-5?
Tyres, recorded in 1.9% of tests, followed by visibility (1.8%).
Does the 2019 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.7% in the 0-30k band to 11.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,881 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.