Used car guide

2018 Mazda MX-5: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mazda MX-5 first registered in 2018: we looked at the 12,548 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,548MOTs of 2018 cars, done in 2023–2025
90%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 83%)
4,000typical miles a year
22%had tyres flagged

Common 2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Suspension
    7% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2018 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.

  • Automatic downshifting by itself (built Oct 2016 to Nov 2018)

    Automatic, built 2016 to 2018

    Automatics built 5 October 2016 to 22 November 2018 can change down without being asked. A software update fixes it.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the update was done.

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Mazda MX-5

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

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

Every year of the Mazda MX-5 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20221,398Tyres 10%
20212,877Tyres 14%
20203,166Tyres 14%
201911,869Tyres 18%
201713,458Brakes 21%
201612,126Brakes 24%
20158,744Brakes 22%
20148,382Brakes 22%
20139,120Brakes 22%
20129,154Suspension 24%
201110,046Suspension 28%
201013,791Suspension 28%
200912,331Suspension 31%
200815,874Suspension 35%
200722,547Suspension 36%
200618,721Suspension 38%
20059,693Suspension 36%
20049,511Brakes 37%
200312,042Suspension 37%
20029,388Suspension 37%
20015,763Suspension 36%
20008,059Suspension 35%
19998,074Brakes 35%
19987,565Suspension 32%
19975,453Brakes 32%
19963,488Suspension 33%
19952,252Brakes 31%
19941,403Suspension 31%
19931,466Brakes 36%
19921,546Brakes 35%
19912,162Brakes 33%
19901,947Brakes 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda MX-5 cars first registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score