1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 68.8% of Mazda MX-5s first used in 1990 passed their MOT first time, against 72.9% for all cars first used in 1990. Across 1,959 MX-5 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda MX-5s first used in 1990 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
68.8%
of 747 first tests; all cars first used in 1990: 72.9%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,959
first tests, 2023–2025; 747 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
35.7%
of 747 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
110,000
middle half: 83,000–136,500 miles; all cars first used in 1990: 95,000

How the 1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, MX-5s first used in 1990 against all cars first used in 1990 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the MX-5 figure was 4.1 points lower.

1990 MX-5All cars first used in 1990
60%70%80%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 1990, test year 2021: 67.6%All cars first used in 1990, test year 2022: 69.6%All cars first used in 1990, test year 2023: 71%All cars first used in 1990, test year 2024: 71.9%All cars first used in 1990, test year 2025: 72.9%1990 MX-5, test year 2021: 68%1990 MX-5, test year 2022: 68.2%1990 MX-5, test year 2023: 69.3%1990 MX-5, test year 2024: 69.3%1990 MX-5, test year 2025: 68.8%72.9%68.8%
View this chart as a table
Test year1990 MX-5All cars first used 1990MX-5 first tests
202168.0%67.6%563
202268.2%69.6%556
202369.3%71.0%518
202469.3%71.9%694
202568.8%72.9%747

Common 1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures

Share of the 605 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment45.8%
Brakes34.7%
Suspension31.2%
Body, chassis, structure18.2%
Visibility18.2%
Noise, emissions and leaks14.9%
Steering12.1%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems10.2%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements11.6%70
Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced9.3%56
Rear fog lamp: not working8.9%54
Position lamp: not working8.8%53

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 1990 Mazda MX-5 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1990 MX-5s, as a share of all 1,959 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive19.8%388
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material13.4%263
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.0%138
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.3%103
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge5.1%100

Questions about the 1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 1990 Mazda MX-5?

In 2025, 68.8% of MX-5s first used in 1990 passed their MOT first time, against 72.9% for all cars first used in 1990. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 1990 MX-5 most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 45.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (34.7%) and suspension (31.2%). The single most common item was “Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements” (11.6%).

How often does a 1990 Mazda MX-5 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 31.2% of first tests on MX-5s first used in 1990 did not pass first time: 26.6% failed, and a further 4.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 605 of 1,959 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories?

“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 19.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (13.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (7.0%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.3%) and “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (5.1%).

Is a 1990 Mazda MX-5 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 68.0% in 2021 to 68.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 1990

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

1990 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1990 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 1990 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1990 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1990 Rover Mini (classic) MOT statistics

How the 1990 Mazda MX-5 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “1990 MX-5” means a Mazda MX-5 whose date of first use falls in 1990 (G and H plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 1990, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.