Used car guide

2017 Mazda MX-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Mazda MX-5s, from 4,566 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,566MOT tests in 2025
89%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
4,000typical miles a year
24×the usual rate for other suspension bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Mazda MX-5s than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Other suspension bushes24× usual
    Mazda MX-5
    2.4% All 2017 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Tread depth: 8.8% here, against 18.3% of all 2017 cars.

By area

The share of 2017 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    22% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    19% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    12% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    6% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Mazda MX-5?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,355Tyres 10%
20211,464Tyres 16%
20201,057Tyres 19%
20194,003Tyres 19%
20184,240Brakes 21%
20164,088Brakes 25%
20152,975Brakes 21%
20142,835Brakes 22%
20133,079Suspension 25%
20123,097Suspension 25%
20113,362Suspension 30%
20104,591Suspension 31%
20094,060Suspension 33%
20085,189Suspension 37%
20077,291Suspension 38%
20065,875Suspension 40%
20052,954Suspension 36%
20042,762Suspension 37%
20033,549Suspension 38%
20022,812Suspension 37%
20011,741Suspension 37%
20002,398Suspension 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Mazda MX-5s registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score