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Mazda Bt-50 vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda Bt-50
73%
MOT pass rate · 1,754 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 73%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Mazda Bt-50 Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 73% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 27% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.4 1.8 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 2% 1% ✓
Average mileage 123,808 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1,754 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda Bt-50

  1. Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
  2. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  3. Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
  4. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.3 (a) (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 Mx-5 is the more reliable of the two — 77% pass first time versus 73%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Mazda Bt-50 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.