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Mazda MX-5 - 1996

296.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1996 is 337.1 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mazda MX-5, model year 1996. Sample size: 1,277 cars, 2,634 tests and 7,821 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 1,277 cars

The 1996 Mazda MX-5 has an overall defect rate of 297 per 100 vehicles, which is 10% lower than the average for cars of the same year. Notably, it excels in categories such as steering, where it has significantly fewer defects compared to the average, and it also performs better in lights and electrics, as well as body and structure. Mileage trends indicate that as the distance increases, the defect rate rises, particularly in the highest mileage segment. Overall, the MX-5 stands out positively in several key areas compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 1,277 cars

More model years for Mazda MX-5

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Other models from Mazda

Mazda 2 Mazda 3 Mazda 5 Mazda 6 Mazda BONGO Mazda BT-50 Mazda CX-3 Mazda CX-30 Mazda CX-5 Mazda CX-7 Mazda EUNOS Mazda MX-30 Mazda MX-5 Mazda RX-8

Categories

Brakes
▲ 7.5% better
126.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 136.6 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 66.2% better
10.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 30.8 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 12.7% better
24.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.6 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
Lights & Electrics
▲ 35.8% better
42.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.2 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • 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
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 0.1% worse
234.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 234.4 / 100 tests
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 35.2% better
56.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 86.6 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▼ 8.1% worse
28.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.0 / 100 tests
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • A seat belt:
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • Audible warning:
Other
▼ 8.8% worse
71.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.9 / 100 tests
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 536 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 861
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 542
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 423
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 358
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 345
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 302
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 266
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 229
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 220
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 216

Serious faults (Top 10)

is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 155
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 117
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 110
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 102
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 92
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 87
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 87
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 76
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 61
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 60