2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 89.2% of Mazda MX-5s first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 12,806 MX-5 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen), brakes and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda MX-5s first used in 2018 (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 2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, MX-5s first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the MX-5 figure was 8.3 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 MX-5 | All cars first used 2018 | MX-5 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93.1% | 87.6% | 4,339 |
| 2022 | 92.8% | 86.3% | 4,268 |
| 2023 | 90.8% | 84.2% | 4,267 |
| 2024 | 90.1% | 82.5% | 4,288 |
| 2025 | 89.2% | 80.9% | 4,251 |
Common 2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures
Share of the 1,277 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 18.4% | 235 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 17.8% | 227 |
| Headlamp aim: too high | 9.3% | 119 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | 8.8% | 112 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 8.4% | 107 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 Mazda MX-5 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 MX-5s, as a share of all 12,806 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.3% | 1,576 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.9% | 1,395 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.8% | 1,128 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 8.1% | 1,031 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 2.9% | 367 |
Questions about the 2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Mazda MX-5?
In 2025, 89.2% of MX-5s first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 MX-5 most often fail its MOT on?
Visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (in 29.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (28.5%) and tyres (25.5%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (18.4%).
How often does a 2018 Mazda MX-5 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 10.8% of first tests on MX-5s first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 7.4% failed, and a further 3.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,277 of 12,806 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories?
“Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (on 12.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.8%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.1%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (2.9%).
Is a 2018 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 93.1% in 2021 to 89.2% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 MX-5?
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