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Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) (2005-2014) reliability

At a glance

Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) built around 2014: about average at the MOT

Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) models built around 2014 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) models built around 2014 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) models built around 2014 involves the tyres.

Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC)
excellent reliability2005-2014ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 52,696 tests of MX-5 models registered 2005-2014.

About 1 in 25 MX-5 Mk3 (NC) MOTs (3.7%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2014 (11 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,533 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 MX-5 Mk3 (NC) MOTs (4.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2014 (11 years old).

Based on 3,533 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk3 (NC) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,40314.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
3,53317.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
3,64717.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
3,74418.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,96320.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
5,75422.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,33323.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7,68224.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
8,81124.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
5,82926.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,99726.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

How the MX-5 Mk3 (NC) compares

At each age below, see how the MX-5 Mk3 (NC) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 39,517 tests across 7 Mazda models, built around 2014 (11 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMazda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,40314.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
3,53317.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
3,64717.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
3,74418.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
4,96320.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
5,75422.1%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,33323.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7,68224.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
8,81124.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
5,82926.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,99726.4%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the MX-5 Mk3 (NC).

  1. 1

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    Lower fail rate: 8.4%, against 17.8% for the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC), both built around 2014.

    1,376 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    Lower fail rate: 14.9%, against 17.8% for the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC), both built around 2014.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    1,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.2%
    Dangerous
    8.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) on these figures.

    2,069 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    MINI Roadster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.3%
    Dangerous
    3.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.8%

    No clear edge over the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) on these figures.

    1,195 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

98%of all Mazda MX-5 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · More than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

9 recalls in all

No recall notices match this build period.

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How MX-5 Mk3 (NC) cars have aged

How MX-5 Mk3 (NC) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%791113151719Age at MOTBuilt around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 11.4% (2,097 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (2,054 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (2,024 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 15.3% (1,989 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (1,973 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (2,275 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (2,198 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.3% (2,136 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (2,154 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 17.1% (2,138 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (2,383 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (2,331 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (2,276 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (2,298 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (2,189 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.3% (2,798 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (2,707 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (2,684 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 20.6% (2,644 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (2,559 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 18.8% (3,680 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 19.9% (3,658 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (3,526 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (3,497 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (3,361 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 21.2% (3,240 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (3,008 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (2,954 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (2,918 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (2,734 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (4,575 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (4,351 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (4,315 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 23.0% (4,164 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (4,031 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (6,621 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 23.2% (6,335 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (6,125 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (5,788 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (5,541 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (5,502 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (5,181 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.5% (4,875 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (4,544 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (4,112 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (3,250 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.0% (2,911 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (2,641 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (2,278 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (1,997 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011
Mk3 (NC) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mazda MX-5 models of this age

This list covers every Mazda MX-5 built around 2014, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 (NC) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.2%
    Advisory: 580Fail: 6 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.2%
    Advisory: 549Fail: 62 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    9.4%
    Advisory: 508Fail: 38 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.3%
    Advisory: 349Fail: 59 (14% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    8.7%
    Advisory: 428Fail: 80 (16% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,533 tests

Looking at a Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) (2005-2014) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,533 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 52,696 MOT tests on Mazda MX-5 models first registered between 2005-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.