2016 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 86.1% of Mazda MX-5s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 12,313 MX-5 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were brakes, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda MX-5s first used in 2016 (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
How the 2016 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, MX-5s first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the MX-5 figure was 11.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 MX-5 | All cars first used 2016 | MX-5 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.0% | 82.7% | 4,131 |
| 2022 | 89.7% | 80.9% | 4,107 |
| 2023 | 88.2% | 78.6% | 4,117 |
| 2024 | 86.5% | 76.7% | 4,105 |
| 2025 | 86.1% | 74.9% | 4,091 |
Common 2016 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures
Share of the 1,607 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | 16.9% | 272 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 14.6% | 234 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 12.6% | 203 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 6.7% | 107 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 6.2% | 99 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an MX-5 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | Brake caliper repair | £180 | £150–£220 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 Mazda MX-5 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- 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.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2016 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 MX-5s, as a share of all 12,313 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 10.9% | 1,340 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 8.4% | 1,039 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 7.6% | 938 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 7.3% | 897 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 4.3% | 534 |
Questions about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Mazda MX-5?
In 2025, 86.1% of MX-5s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 MX-5 most often fail its MOT on?
Brakes (in 43.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (20.4%) and tyres (19.3%). The single most common item was “Service brake performance: excessively binding” (16.9%).
How often does a 2016 Mazda MX-5 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 13.9% of first tests on MX-5s first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 11.1% failed, and a further 2.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,607 of 12,313 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories?
“Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (on 10.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (8.4%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (7.6%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (7.3%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (4.3%).
Is a 2016 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 91.0% in 2021 to 86.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 MX-5?
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