1998 Mazda Mx-5 + — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 16,691 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Mazda Mx-5 +, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 76.2% was below the average for coupes & convertibles of a similar age (78.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.8% in the 150k+ group versus 9.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 1,919 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 1,698 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 1,410 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.8% | 1,302 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.2% | 694 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.6% | 606 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 1,758 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 920 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 831 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 739 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 708 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 701 |
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 | 27.8% | 4,634 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.6% | 4,612 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.8% | 2,639 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 2,448 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.0% | 2,165 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 1,447 |
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 | 531 | 9.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,074 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,607 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,295 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,469 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,704 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,936 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 3,638 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 3,375 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 3,009 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 2,733 | 23.0% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Mx-5 +
Before buying a 1998 Mazda Mx-5 +, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (8.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1998 Mazda Mx-5 +s pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 16,691 1998 Mazda Mx-5 + MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Mazda Mx-5 +?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 1998 Mx-5 + get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,691 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.