2022 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,406 MOT tests, the 2022 Mazda MX-5 recorded a 97.0% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 8.0% of the time, so this is 5.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.1%) and tyres (1.3%) 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 washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 43 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 8.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 30 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.3% | 18 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 17 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 16 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.1% | 2 |
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 | 43 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 3 | Washers | 11 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 5 | Wipers | 6 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 5 |
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 | 8.6% | 121 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.3% | 116 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.9% | 27 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.8% | 25 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 12 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 5 |
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 | 1,320 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 85 | 7.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 45 | 2.2% |
| 2025 | 1,361 | 3.0% |
What to check before buying a 2022 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 2.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (1.3% 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 (1.2% 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 2022 Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT?
97.0% of the 1,406 2022 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Mazda MX-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.1% of tests, followed by tyres (1.3%).
Does the 2022 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 7.1% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,406 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.