2021 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,986 MOT tests, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 recorded a 96.4% pass rate. That is 4.3 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 7.9%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (1.7%) and lighting & signalling (1.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, brake pads and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 50 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 3.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.7% | 51 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 41 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 34 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 30 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.3% | 9 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 7 |
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 | 50 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 29 |
| 3 | Wipers | 26 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 14 |
| 5 | Washers | 14 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 11 |
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 | 12.4% | 371 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.5% | 283 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 63 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.9% | 56 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.3% | 39 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 11 |
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 | 2,641 | 2.9% |
| 30-60k | 336 | 9.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 40 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 1,438 | 3.5% |
| 2025 | 1,496 | 3.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 MX-5
On a 2021 MX-5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 1.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (1.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.1% 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.
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 2021 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
96.4% of the 2,986 2021 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mazda MX-5?
Tyres, recorded in 1.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2021 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.9% in the 0-30k band to 9.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,986 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.