Mazda Mx 5 (2004)
2004 Mazda Mx 5
CarHunch analysed 6,218 real MOT records for the 2004 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 2004 MX-5's 77.3% first-time pass rate sits slightly below the UK average of 80%, which is a mild warning sign, but the more serious concern is that 41.1% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point — well above typical levels and a genuine buyer red flag. With an average of 4.5 failures per vehicle and 26.5 advisories, these roadsters are hitting common structural and wear issues as they age.
At 54,731 miles median, these 20-year-old cars have been relatively well looked after in terms of mileage, yet still accumulate substantial MOT issues, suggesting the problems are age-related rather than abuse-related. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and rust — the advisory count suggests these are the recurring pain points — and factor in steady maintenance costs rather than expecting a cheap runabout.
The 2004 Mazda Mx 5 has a decent first-time pass rate (77.5%), 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 6,218 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 6,218 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 6,218 Mazda Mx 5 cars.
Before you buy a 2004 Mazda Mx 5
Based on MOT data from 6,218 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
41.1% 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%) | 6,183 | 77.5% | 4.51 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 160,670 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 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 2004 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles fall between 41,967 and 68,742 miles.
2004 Mazda Mx 5 — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 40% of 2004 Mazda Mx 5s are still active.
Numbers are declining — 2,245 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (40% 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 2004 Mazda Mx 5 stacks up against a rival.