Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport MOT Pass Rate & Official DVSA Failure Statistics

Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport MOT History and Failure Rates vs UK National Average

The Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport passed on its first attempt in 96.1%, and its overall record sits +15.3 percentage points above the national average for all cars. These figures come from every recorded DVSA MOT test for the Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport in the 2023–2025 data: 376 tests across 2 model years (2020–2021). A test still carries exactly one pass or fail verdict.

Figures are computed from every recorded DVSA test for this model in the 2023–2025 data.

Most Common Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport MOT Problems by Failure Category

Every MOT failure a tester records belongs to one inspection section of the DVSA manual. For the Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport, the Visibility section leads the record — the breakdown below shows where the recorded failures cluster, then the exact strings behind the three biggest sections.

Shares are over the Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport's recorded defect strings, merged across its year pages.

Top Recorded Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport DVSA MOT Test Statistics & Defect Descriptions

The descriptions below are the exact DVSA failure strings testers recorded most often for the Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport, each with how many of the model's 376 tests it was noted on.

• "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords" (Major) — noted on about 8 Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport tests, 2.1% of the model's MOT record.
• "Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view" (Minor) — noted on about 5 Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport tests, 1.3% of the model's MOT record.
• "Wipers blade defective" (Minor) — noted on about 4 Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport tests, 1.1% of the model's MOT record.
• "Headlamp aim too high" (Rectified) — noted on about 3 Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport tests, 0.8% of the model's MOT record.
• "Headlamp aim too low" (Rectified) — noted on about 2 Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport tests, 0.5% of the model's MOT record.
• "Catalyst emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits" (Major) — noted on about 2 Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport tests, 0.5% of the model's MOT record.

Best and Worst Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport Model Years by Pass Rate

The strongest Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport model year on record is 2021 (97.1% across 138 tests), and the weakest is 2020 (95.8%). The gap between them is 1.3 points. Years with fewer than 50 recorded tests are excluded, so these are the years with enough MOT history to mean something.

Newest model year first. Only years with at least 50 recorded tests are listed.

Pre-MOT Inspection Checklist for Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport Owners

These checks follow this Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport's own most-recorded failure strings, starting with what a tester is most likely to flag on a Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport.

• the windscreen — “windscreen damaged”

  Check the driver’s side of the screen within the swept area for chips and cracks; anything larger than 10mm in the driver’s central view is a fail. Most chips can be resin-repaired for far less than a new screen.

• the wipers and washers — “wipers blade defective”

  Run the wipers with the screen wet: they should clear it in one sweep without smearing or juddering. Top the washer bottle up and check both jets hit the screen.

• the lights — “headlamp aim too high”

  Switch everything on and walk round the car: both headlamps on dip and main, every indicator, both brake lights, reverse, fog and the two number-plate lamps. A bulb is a few pounds and a five-minute job.

Derived from the DVSA failure strings testers recorded for the Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport. A check that finds nothing means the item is likely fine, not that the test is guaranteed.

Frequently Asked Questions: Mazda Mx-5 R-Sport MOT & Reliability