Mazda 626 gx vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Mazda 626 gx
62%
MOT pass rate · 96 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Mazda Mx-5 is the more reliable of the two — 77% pass first time versus 62%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Head to head
| Measure | Mazda 626 gx | Mazda Mx-5 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 62% | 77% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 38% | 23% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.2 | 1.8 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 0% ✓ | 1% |
| Average mileage | 110,196 mi | 90,085 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 96 | 162,634 |
Most common faults
Mazda 626 gx
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
- Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Mazda Mx-5
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
- Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate, the Mazda Mx-5 is the more reliable of the two — 77% pass first time versus 62%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Full Mazda 626 gx 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.