Mazda Mx 5 (2006)
2006 Mazda Mx 5
CarHunch analysed 8,541 real MOT records for the 2006 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 2006 MX-5's 78.7% pass rate sits slightly below the UK average of 80%, which is unremarkable for an 18-year-old sports car—but the real concern is that 35.2% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd typically see and a genuine buyer warning sign. Petrol and "other" fuel variants perform almost identically, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
At 53,378 miles median, these MX-5s have covered moderate mileage for their age, suggesting many have been weekend or fair-weather cars rather than daily workhorses. The average of 4.05 failures and 20.1 advisories per test tells you that when one does fail, it's rarely catastrophic—mostly wear items and minor issues—but you should budget for routine maintenance and have any used example thoroughly inspected for corrosion and suspension wear before committing.
The 2006 Mazda Mx 5 has a decent first-time pass rate (79.3%), 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 8,541 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 8,541 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 8,541 Mazda Mx 5 cars.
Before you buy a 2006 Mazda Mx 5
Based on MOT data from 8,541 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
35.2% 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 (98%) | 8,396 | 79.2% | 4.1 |
| Other (2%) | 144 | 84.5% | 1.08 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 160,670 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 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 2006 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles fall between 39,298 and 68,109 miles.
2006 Mazda Mx 5 — Still on the Road
Most 2006 Mazda Mx 5s are still being driven.
5,504 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 70% of the peak remain.
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 2006 Mazda Mx 5 stacks up against a rival.