Get Started
Mazda

Mazda Mx 5 (2022)

359 real MOT outcomes analysed • 97.1% first-time pass rate

2022 Mazda Mx 5

CarHunch analysed 359 real MOT records for the 2022 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? →

On this page
AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 359 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 is a genuinely reliable car—97.1% of tested examples pass first time, well ahead of the UK average of 80%, and dangerous defects are essentially non-existent at just 0.6% of vehicles. This is a sports car that's living up to its reputation for build quality and durability.

At 13,312 miles median, these cars are still very young and lightly used, which partly explains the excellent pass rate, but the remarkably low failure rate of 0.06 per vehicle suggests this generation is simply well-engineered. If you're buying one, focus your inspection on the advisory items (averaging 0.3 per car)—typically minor wear items—rather than worrying about structural or mechanical surprises.

The 2022 Mazda Mx 5 passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (97.1% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

First-time pass
97.1%
UK average ~80%
Better than average
Dangerous (ever)
0.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.06
Over 1.1 tests on record
Low
Typical mileage
13k
Middle half: 9k–20k
For context
✅ Good baseline reliability. A 97.1% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

These stats describe 359 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.

A solid choice — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 359 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 10.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 8.7%
Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Lighting 4.2%
Nearside Headlamp aim too high · Offside Headlamp aim too high
Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.
Other issues 4.2%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2022.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 359 Mazda Mx 5 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2022 Mazda Mx 5

Based on MOT data from 359 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 0.6% 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 ClickMechanic →
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Colour Breakdown

Based on 160,670 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 22.5%
36,187
Silver 18.2%
29,219
Blue 17.2%
27,661
Black 12.7%
20,412
Green 10.6%
17,074
Grey 9.8%
15,805
White 4.9%
7,909
Gold 1.2%
1,980
Yellow 1%
1,671
Maroon 0.8%
1,265
Orange 0.6%
1,043
Multi-colour 0.3%
444

Mileage Distribution

Most 2022 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.

13,312
typical
8,605
low mileage
19,871
high mileage

Half of all 2022 Mazda Mx 5 vehicles fall between 8,605 and 19,871 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
✓ Under 8,605 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
✓ 8,605–19,871 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2022 Mazda Mx 5s sit.
⚠ Over 26,825 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.06
Avg failures per vehicle
0.3
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Mazda Mx 5: All Mx 5 years → Which year to buy? →
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

Or browse all models: Mazda →

Mazda logo

Compare with another model

See how the 2022 Mazda Mx 5 stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?