Used car guide

2019 Mazda MX-5: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mazda MX-5 first registered in 2019: we looked at the 4,003 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,003MOTs of 2019 cars, done in 2025
91%pass first time (all 2019 cars: 84%)
3,800typical miles a year
19%had tyres flagged

Common 2019 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    17% 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.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    5% 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
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 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
20221,355Tyres 10%
20211,464Tyres 16%
20201,057Tyres 19%
20184,240Brakes 21%
20174,566Brakes 22%
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%
19992,406Brakes 35%
19982,306Suspension 33%
19971,709Brakes 32%
19961,155Brakes 33%
1995778Suspension 31%
1994493Suspension 31%
1993575Brakes 34%
1992590Suspension 38%
1991798Brakes 35%
1990744Brakes 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda MX-5 cars first registered in 2019. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score