Mazda Mx 5 (2002)
2002 Mazda Mx 5
CarHunch analysed 7,343 real MOT records for the 2002 Mazda Mx 5.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →
The 2002 MX-5's first-time pass rate of 76.6% sits 3.4 points below the UK average, signalling slightly below-average reliability for its age—but the real concern is that 36.4% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above the typical threshold. This is a meaningful red flag for any prospective buyer and suggests you'll need to inspect the car's full MOT history carefully.
At 62,952 miles average, these MX-5s are reasonably well-used but not excessively worn for their 22 years. The average of 4.64 failures per test and 26 advisories per vehicle indicates chronic minor niggles rather than catastrophic faults—suspension, corrosion, and brake wear are typical for 2000s sports cars. Before committing to one, request the last three MOT certificates and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the chassis, underside, and braking system, as these are where the defects cluster.
The 2002 Mazda Mx 5 has a decent first-time pass rate (76.8%), 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 7,343 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 7,343 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 7,343 Mazda Mx 5 cars.
Before you buy a 2002 Mazda Mx 5
Based on MOT data from 7,343 vehicles — here's what to check.
-
📋
Check the full MOT history.
36.4% 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. -
🔍
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
→
-
📄
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
Get 20% off via CarHunch
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (99%) | 7,295 | 76.8% | 4.67 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 160,670 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 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 2002 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles fall between 47,181 and 77,137 miles.
2002 Mazda Mx 5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 36% of 2002 Mazda Mx 5s are still active.
Numbers are declining — 2,269 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (36% 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
Or browse all models: Mazda →
Compare with another model
See how the 2002 Mazda Mx 5 stacks up against a rival.