2015 Mazda MX-5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Mazda MX-5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Mazda MX-5 than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Braking performance1.8× usual
  Mazda MX-5

  5.3% All 2015 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.1% of all 2015 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 2015 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 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
  14% 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
  8% 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
  6% 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
  1% 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 2015 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.

• Stop-start fire risk (built May 2015 to Apr 2017)

  Built 2015 to 2017

  The i-ELOOP stop-start system on cars built 15 May 2015 to 13 April 2017 can overheat and, in extreme cases, catch fire. A dealer should check it and update the software.

  At the viewing: Ask a Mazda dealer to confirm the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Mazda MX-5 (2015 on) reliability

• Under-shield bracket (built May to July 2015)

  Built mid-2015

  A bracket holding the under-shield can fail on cars built 26 May to 6 July 2015.

  At the viewing: Ask a Mazda dealer whether it was replaced.

  Source: What Car?: used Mazda MX-5 (2015 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Mazda MX-5

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

1. Has the i-ELOOP recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2015 Mazda MX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?