Does the Mazda MX-5 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Mazda MX-5 records 21.56 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 22.08 expected for a car of the same age mix: about as expected for its class and age (the difference is within its interval or under 0.5 items per 100 tests) (−0.52, 95% interval −0.65 to −0.39). It ranks 287 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mazda MX-5 by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda MX-5 is “A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated”, recorded 28,509 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 28,509 | 5.71 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 23,713 | 4.75 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 19,740 | 3.95 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 10,949 | 2.19 |
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 9,955 | 1.99 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 499,285 (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
If a Mazda MX-5 gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
21.6% of Mazda MX-5 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 2,114 miles later (58,395 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 58,395 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
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