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Mazda Friendie vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda Friendie
62%
MOT pass rate · 4 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda Friendie (62%) 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 Friendie Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 62% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 38% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 4.2 1.8 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 1%
Average mileage 161,513 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 4 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda Friendie

  1. Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  2. Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  3. Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  5. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
  6. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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 Friendie (62%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda Friendie 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.