1999 Mazda Mx-5 + — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,610 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Mazda Mx-5 +, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 74.3% was below the average for coupes & convertibles of a similar age (78.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.0% in the 150k+ group versus 11.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 2,285 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.0% | 2,050 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 10.7% | 1,992 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.3% | 1,550 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 882 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 731 |
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 | 2,484 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 994 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 979 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 938 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 801 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 759 |
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 | 29.3% | 5,459 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.1% | 5,049 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.8% | 2,948 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 2,640 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 2,482 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 1,848 |
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 | 613 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,535 | 18.0% |
| 60-90k | 5,713 | 25.0% |
| 90-120k | 5,225 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 2,768 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,746 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,481 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 4,201 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 3,811 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 3,196 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 2,921 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Mx-5 +
Before buying a 1999 Mazda Mx-5 +, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.0% 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 (10.7% 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 1999 Mazda Mx-5 +s pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 18,610 1999 Mazda Mx-5 + MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Mazda Mx-5 +?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by brakes (11.0%).
Does the 1999 Mx-5 + get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 0-30k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,610 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.