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Mazda 626 lx vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda 626 lx
63%
MOT pass rate · 14,558 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 63%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 626 lx Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 63% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 37% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.2 1.8 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 1%
Average mileage 120,059 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 14,558 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda 626 lx

  1. Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)
  5. Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
  6. Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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 Mx-5 is the more reliable of the two — 77% pass first time versus 63%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Mazda 626 lx 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.