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Mazda Friende vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda Friende
63%
MOT pass rate · 5 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda Friende (63%) 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 Friende Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 63% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 37% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 3.2 1.8 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 2% 1% ✓
Average mileage 181,618 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 5 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda Friende

  1. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  2. Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))
  3. Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))
  4. Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))
  5. Nearside Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint (2.3.3b)
  6. Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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 Friende (63%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda Friende 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.