Mazda Mx 5 (2001)
2001 Mazda Mx 5
CarHunch analysed 4,398 real MOT records for the 2001 Mazda Mx 5.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 2001 MX-5's 75.6% first-time pass rate trails the UK average by 4.4 percentage points, which is a moderate concern—but the real red flag is that 34.4% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above acceptable thresholds and a serious consideration for any buyer. This suggests structural or safety issues are more common on this generation than the typical used car.
At 66,659 miles average, these MX-5s are running higher mileage than you'd typically expect for 2001 models, yet they're still racking up an average of 4.64 failures and 25.6 advisories per test—indicating persistent wear patterns rather than one-off problems. If you're looking at a 2001 MX-5, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers suspension, braking, and chassis integrity, since the dangerous defect rate suggests those systems are the weak point.
The 2001 Mazda Mx 5 has a decent first-time pass rate (76.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 4,398 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
What tends to go wrong
Across 4,398 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,398 Mazda Mx 5 cars.
Before you buy a 2001 Mazda Mx 5
Based on MOT data from 4,398 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
34.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 4,340 | 76.2% | 4.68 |
| Other (1%) | 58 | 78.6% | 1.14 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 160,670 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2001 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles fall between 49,983 and 81,178 miles.
2001 Mazda Mx 5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 37% of 2001 Mazda Mx 5s are still active.
Numbers are declining — 1,339 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (37% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
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Compare with another model
See how the 2001 Mazda Mx 5 stacks up against a rival.