2011 Mazda MX-5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Mazda MX-5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Mazda MX-5 than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Braking performance2× usual
  Mazda MX-5

  10.9% All 2011 cars

  5.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 2011 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  28% 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.

• Brakes
  24% 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
  20% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  12% 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
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  2% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2011 Mazda MX-5

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Rear differential whine

  All engines

  Wear inside the rear differential makes it whine. The fix is a replacement differential.

  At the viewing: Listen for whining from the back at a steady speed and when lifting off.

  Source: Haynes: Mazda MX-5 NC common problems (2005-2015)

• Sticking brake calipers

  All engines

  On cars that aren’t used much, brake calipers stick, so the car pulls when braking and one wheel runs hot.

  At the viewing: Brake firmly and feel for pulling.

  Source: Haynes: Mazda MX-5 NC common problems (2005-2015)

• Misfire with engine light

  All engines

  A misfire under acceleration with the engine light on can be a faulty crankcase ventilation hose.

  At the viewing: Accelerate hard and watch for warning lights.

  Source: Haynes: Mazda MX-5 NC common problems (2005-2015)

• Surging at idle

  All engines

  A dirty throttle body makes it stutter or surge when slowing and at idle.

  At the viewing: Let it idle and listen for hunting revs.

  Source: Haynes: Mazda MX-5 NC common problems (2005-2015)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Mazda MX-5

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2011 Mazda MX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?