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Mazda MX-5 - 2004

335.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2004 is 384.6 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Mazda MX-5, model year 2004. Sample size: 3,392 cars, 6,837 tests and 22,919 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 3,392 cars

The 2004 Mazda MX-5 has an overall defect rate of 335 per 100 vehicles, which is 12% lower than the average for cars of the same year. While tyre wear is common, the model shows notable strengths in steering and visibility, with defect rates significantly better than the average. However, it faces challenges in the body/structure and equipment categories, where defect rates are notably higher than the average. Additionally, as mileage increases, defect rates for the MX-5 tend to rise more sharply compared to its peers, especially in the highest mileage category.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 3,392 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
▲ 7.2% better
152.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 164.2 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 36.1% better
15.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 24.9 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 49.8% better
14.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.3 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • 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
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 56.9% better
47.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 109.9 / 100 tests
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 9.8% better
282.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 312.9 / 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
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
  • A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
Body/Structure
▼ 28.8% worse
81.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 63.6 / 100 tests
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▼ 113.8% worse
29.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.8 / 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
  • Audible warning:
  • 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:
Other
▲ 8.1% better
46.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 50.5 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 562 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: 2,990
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,286
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,174
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 995
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 967
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 908
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 881
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 843
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 685
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 658

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 578
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: 419
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 399
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 196
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 187
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 185
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 183
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 150
Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
FAIL
Occurrences: 147
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 141