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Mazda 1.6i mx5 vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Mazda 1.6i mx5
90%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 1.6i mx5 (90%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 1.6i mx5 Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 90% ✓ 77%
MOT failure rate 10% ✓ 23%
Faults & advisories per test 0.4 ✓ 1.8
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 1%
Average mileage 57,129 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda 1.6i mx5

  1. Nearside Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)
  2. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  3. rust to sills
  4. rust to rear sills
  5. Nearside Rear Outer sill panel / wheel arch corroded
  6. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Mazda Mx-5

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  4. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 1.6i mx5 (90%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 1.6i mx5 report Full Mazda Mx-5 report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.