2005 Mazda B Series — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,631 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mazda B Series, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.6% in the 150k+ group versus 13.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 514 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.2% | 399 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.4% | 327 |
| 4 | Suspension | 10.1% | 265 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.4% | 141 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 72 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 259 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 226 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 193 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 185 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 180 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 162 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.8% | 915 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.2% | 848 |
| 3 | Suspension | 26.1% | 686 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 518 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.5% | 461 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.7% | 335 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 38 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 273 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 486 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 748 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 571 | 27.7% |
| 150k+ | 514 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 705 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 584 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 530 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 427 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 385 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 B Series
Before buying a 2005 Mazda B Series, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (12.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Mazda B Seriess pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 2,631 2005 Mazda B Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mazda B Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (15.2%).
Does the 2005 B Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,631 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.