Does the Mazda E Series fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Mazda E Series records 40.46 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 27.41 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+13.05, 95% interval +11.34 to +14.76). It ranks 52 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Mazda E Series by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda E Series is “Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective”, recorded 298 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 298 | 5.62 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 271 | 5.11 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 227 | 4.28 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 200 | 3.77 |
| An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 198 | 3.73 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 5,304 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mazda E Series by postcode area · Mazda E Series body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda E Series brakes failures · Mazda E Series noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda E Series seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda E Series steering failures · Mazda E Series suspension failures · Mazda E Series tyres failures · Mazda E Series visibility failures