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Mazda MX-5 statistics

How many Mazda MX-5s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 90,887 DVSA MOT tests.

Coupé Sports car
Last updated
Records analysed
113,302 MX-5 records (licensed and SORN)
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed in Great Britain 78,233 −2.4% on a year earlier
  • Declared SORN 35,069 Off the road, not taxed
  • MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 74.8% Cars of the same ages 65.8%
  • Rank by number licensed No. 113 of 1,159 models we cover
  • Peak year 2012 97,108 licensed
  • Average annual mileage 3,300 miles a year

How many Mazda MX-5s are left in Great Britain?

There were 78,233 Mazda MX-5s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 35,069 declared off the road (SORN). That is 19.4% fewer than the peak of 97,108 in 2012.

Mazda MX-5s licensed in Great Britain

The highest year-end count was 97,108 in 2012.

Mazda MX-5s licensed in Great Britain at the end of each year
Year Licensed
1994 7,137
1995 9,458
1996 13,029
1997 18,709
1998 27,957
1999 36,886
2000 44,232
2001 49,275
2002 56,550
2003 65,341
2004 71,867
2005 75,952
2006 82,742
2007 89,938
2008 93,324
2009 96,383
2010 96,828
2011 96,730
2012 97,108
2013 96,205
2014 95,645
2015 94,893
2016 95,088
2017 94,686
2018 93,873
2019 93,022
2020 88,844
2021 86,697
2022 85,114
2023 82,185
2024 79,801
2025 78,018
2026 78,233

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Mazda MX-5 versions

The Mazda MX-5 Launch Edition has its own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.

Versions of the Mazda MX-5 with their own page
Version Licensed SORN
Mazda MX-5 Launch Edition 157 86

Mazda MX-5 MOT reliability

In 2025, 74.8% of Mazda MX-5 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Mazda MX-5s tested pass 65.8% of the time, so the Mazda MX-5 does better than average for its age, by 9.0 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 74.2%.

MOT first-time pass rate by age: Mazda MX-5 vs all cars

Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.

MOT first-time pass rate by vehicle age, Mazda MX-5 compared with all cars
Vehicle age Mazda MX-5All cars
3 years 94.1%89.5%
4–5 years 93.2%87.6%
6–7 years 90.3%83.0%
8–10 years 87.2%75.7%
11–14 years 78.6%65.5%
15–19 years 69.7%58.0%
20+ years 65.7%61.0%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Mazda MX-5 MOT failures

Suspension is the most common reason a Mazda MX-5 fails its MOT, appearing on 35.8% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 5.0% of Mazda MX-5 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.

Most common MOT failure categories

Share of failed Mazda MX-5 MOT tests with at least one defect in each category
Defect category Share of failed tests
Suspension 35.8%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 32.0%
Brakes 28.8%
Noise, emissions and leaks 18.8%
Visibility 15.5%
Body, chassis, structure 12.2%
Tyres 11.9%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 6.6%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common Mazda MX-5 MOT defects and advisories

The single most common reason a Mazda MX-5 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 11.1% of 22,859 failed tests. 48.1% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.

Most common reasons for failure

Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.

Most common specific MOT defects on failed Mazda MX-5 tests, 2025
Defect Share of failed tests
Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension 11.1%
Service brake performance: excessively binding Brakes 8.6%
Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 8.4%
Component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Suspension 8.3%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility 7.9%
Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks 7.4%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes 5.5%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility 5.3%
Seat belts: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems 4.8%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 4.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Most common advisories

Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.

Most common MOT advisories on Mazda MX-5 tests, 2025
Advisory Share of tests
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes 9.8%
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres 8.7%
Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres 8.5%
Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes 6.9%
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension 6.7%
Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks 4.7%
Service brake performance: binding but not excessively Brakes 4.7%
Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension 4.0%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes 3.8%
Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension 3.4%

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Mazda MX-5 by year

32 years of the Mazda MX-5, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2012 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (79.6% passed first time) and the 1991 cars worst (64.7%).

Mazda MX-5s by year of first registration
Year Registered Left Pass rate All cars
1990 – 911 68.8% 75.5%
1991 – 860 64.7% 75.5%
1992 – 492 63.2% 72.6%
1993 – 466 66.9% 71.6%
1995 – 1,270 67.0% 71.5%
1996 – 2,090 66.3% 70.0%
1997 – 2,861 68.0% 68.5%
1998 – 3,048 68.1% 67.1%
1999 – 3,306 65.5% 65.4%
2000 – 3,162 63.3% 63.1%
2001 – 2,359 67.1% 61.5%
2002 – 3,902 65.6% 59.7%
2003 – 4,988 63.3% 58.9%
2004 – 3,661 64.7% 57.9%
2005 – 3,527 66.1% 57.7%
2006 – 6,558 67.0% 56.9%
2007 – 7,693 69.7% 57.3%
2008 – 5,356 68.8% 57.0%
2009 – 4,216 71.4% 58.2%
2010 – 4,693 73.2% 59.3%
2011 – 3,424 76.1% 61.5%
2012 – 3,115 79.6% 63.6%
2013 – 3,106 79.3% 66.0%
2014 2,903 2,835 80.4% 69.1%
2015 2,973 2,921 85.3% 72.6%
2016 4,146 4,007 86.1% 75.6%
2017 4,539 4,483 89.1% 79.1%
2018 4,234 4,127 89.2% 81.8%
2019 4,027 3,956 91.4% 84.4%
2020 1,061 1,053 91.8% 86.9%
2021 1,434 1,408 94.6% 88.4%
2022 1,350 1,296 94.0% 89.4%

Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.

Mazda MX-5 annual mileage

The average Mazda MX-5 covers 3,300 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.

Average annual mileage by age

Average annual mileage of a Mazda MX-5 by vehicle age
Vehicle age Miles a year
4–5 years 4,484
6–7 years 4,359
8–10 years 4,080
11–14 years 3,301
15–19 years 3,098
20+ years 2,598

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated

Mazda MX-5 registrations over time

Registrations of Mazda MX-5s for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 10,056 in 2003. In 2025, 1,494 were registered.

Registered for the first time, by year

Mazda MX-5s registered for the first time in Great Britain, by year
Year First registrations
’01 5,539
’02 8,503
’03 10,056
’04 6,947
’05 5,620
’06 8,763
’07 9,370
’08 6,233
’09 4,724
’10 5,106
’11 3,614
’12 3,295
’13 3,236
’14 2,966
’15 3,079
’16 4,213
’17 4,637
’18 4,281
’19 4,072
’20 1,091
’21 1,469
’22 1,343
’23 1,655
’24 1,283
’25 1,494

Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated

Mazda MX-5 engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 79,557 Mazda MX-5s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 45.2% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 19.1% have an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc. The share with an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc has fallen from 34.5% in 2014 to 14.4%.

Engine sizes, end of 2025

DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.

Mazda MX-5s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, by engine size
Engine size Share of those licensed
1,901cc to 2,000cc 35,954 licensed 45.2%
1,701cc to 1,800cc 15,202 licensed 19.1%
1,801cc to 1,900cc 11,443 licensed 14.4%
1,401cc to 1,500cc 10,490 licensed 13.2%
1,501cc to 1,600cc 5,566 licensed 7.0%
1,601cc to 1,700cc 848 licensed 1.1%
Other sizes 54 licensed 0.1%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

Engine size and fuel together, end of 2025
Engine size Fuel Licensed Share
1,901–2,000cc Petrol 35,952 45.2%
1,701–1,800cc Petrol 15,202 19.1%
1,801–1,900cc Petrol 11,442 14.4%
1,401–1,500cc Petrol 10,489 13.2%
1,501–1,600cc Petrol 5,564 7.0%
1,601–1,700cc Petrol 845 1.1%

Engine sizes, 2014 to 2025

Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.

Mazda MX-5s licensed in the UK by engine size, share of each year’s total
Year 1,901–2,000cc1,701–1,800cc1,801–1,900cc1,401–1,500cc
2014 26.7%19.6%34.5%0.0%
2015 27.7%20.1%32.9%1.0%
2016 29.6%19.9%30.7%3.1%
2017 32.2%19.5%28.2%4.8%
2018 34.9%19.3%25.7%6.3%
2019 37.4%19.2%23.2%7.8%
2020 38.9%19.5%21.4%8.5%
2021 39.8%19.5%20.4%9.2%
2022 41.3%19.6%18.7%10.3%
2023 42.7%19.5%17.0%11.5%
2024 44.0%19.3%15.6%12.3%
2025 45.2%19.1%14.4%13.2%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.

Mazda MX-5 fuel economy and CO2

The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Mazda MX-5 from 2000, when the data begins, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and petrol hybrid versions ranges from 37.2 to 45.6 mpg, with CO2 of 140 to 171 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 29.8 to 47.1 mpg, with CO2 of 139 to 232 g/km.

Official WLTP figures by engine and fuel, listed 2019 to 2026
Engine and fuel Combined mpg CO2 g/km Listed Euro standard Versions
1.5 petrol 44.8–45.6 140–145 2019–2026 Euro 6 to Euro 6d 49
2.0 petrol 37.2–41.5 153–171 2019–2026 Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d 63
1.5 petrol hybrid 45.6 140 2026 Euro 6 4
Older NEDC figures, listed 2000 to 2018 (4 engine and fuel groups)
Official NEDC figures by engine and fuel, listed 2000 to 2018
Engine and fuel Combined mpg CO2 g/km Listed Euro standard Versions
1.5 petrol 46.3–47.1 139–142 2016–2018 Euro 6 3
1.6 petrol 34.9–36.7 188–211 2000–2006 Euro 2 to Euro 3 2
1.8 petrol 29.8–40.4 167–232 2000–2015 Euro 2 to Euro 5 13
2.0 petrol 34.5–40.9 161–193 2006–2018 Euro 4 to Euro 6 28

Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated

  • Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
  • NEDC figures (in VCA’s data until September 2018) and WLTP figures (from the 2019 guide) come from different tests, so they are shown separately and should not be compared.
  • Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “Mazda MX-5”, “MX-5”, “MX - 5”, “MX - 5 (2005 MY)”. How we use VCA’s figures.

Mazda MX-5 safety recalls

DVSA lists 9 safety recalls for the Mazda MX-5 since 1992, the first in 2000. The most recent was launched on 3 November 2025.

Fuel Pipe Concern

Launched 3 November 2025 DVSA recall R/2025/442 Manufacturer ref. AS025A

Defect
On affected vehicles The brackets used to secure the fuel pipes to the engine may not be tightened sufficiently. If the engine is repeatedly operated at high speed such as during circuit driving vibrations may cause the fuel pipe to resonate potentially causing the pipe to leak. The fuel leakage may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy
Replace the fuel pipe with a modified part.
Vehicles affected
6,013 MX-5 vehicles
Built
14 May 2015 to 28 Apr 2018

All 9 Mazda MX-5 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mazda MX-5. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Compare the Mazda MX-5 with other Mazda models

Mazda MX-5 compared with other Mazda models
Model Licensed Change on a year SORN Rank Main fuel
Mazda MX-5 78,233 −2.4% 35,069 113 Petrol
Mazda 2 137,145 −1.3% 4,413 65 Petrol
Mazda 3 106,844 −1.9% 5,722 92 Petrol
Mazda CX-5 91,557 +5.0% 1,771 103 Petrol
Mazda 6 49,847 −10.5% 9,417 152 Diesel

More Mazda models

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed and SORN counts Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 113,302 MX-5 records (licensed and SORN) 15 September 2026
Registered for the first time Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport 2001 to 2025 – 15 September 2026
MOT results and mileage Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring 		2025 90,887 MOT tests 15 September 2026
  • Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
  • Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
  • First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
  • Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
  • MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
  • DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.