Mazda 2 vs Mazda Mx-5 1.8: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Mazda 2
78%
MOT pass rate · 146,943 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5 1.8
85%
MOT pass rate · 3 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda Mx-5 1.8 (85%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Mazda 2 | Mazda Mx-5 1.8 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% | 85% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 22% | 15% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 1.7 | 0.7 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 76,654 mi | 68,463 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 146,943 | 3 |
Most common faults
Mazda 2
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
- Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Mazda Mx-5 1.8
- Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
- Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
- Nearside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)
- Offside Windscreen wiper blade insecure (8.2.2)
- Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda Mx-5 1.8 (85%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Mazda 2 report Full Mazda Mx-5 1.8 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.