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Mazda Billy vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda Billy
70%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda Billy (70%) 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 Billy Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 70% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 30% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.4 1.8 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 1%
Average mileage 202,478 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda Billy

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
  3. Side repeater obscured but not more than 50% both side repeaters are not there however, the wrap around indicators can be seen from the rear of the vehicle (1.4.A.2d)
  4. offside undersill corroded for a good distance near seat belt but outside 30 cm zone as far as can tell
  5. general under body corrossion
  6. Rear Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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 Billy (70%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda Billy 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.