CarCostCheck

MAZDA MX-5 (2014)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,163 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1798cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2047/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1798cc12 years old5,163 tests42k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1798cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1798cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 12 years old, 89% of MAZDA MX-5s from 2014 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,163 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 41,708 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2014 cars177th of 562(top 31%)
Rank among MAZDA models176th of 483(top 36%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2014 cars average+8%(81% avg)
vs MAZDA average+8%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

41,708

Average miles

vs

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2014 MAZDA MX-5 has 41,708 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2014 sits between the two at 89%.

MAZDA MX-5 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202196%61314,518 mi
202096%32918,739 mi
201995%7,34321,631 mi
201894%8,14026,083 mi
201794%8,34431,395 mi
201691%7,85936,898 mi
201590%5,32041,274 mi
201489%5,16341,708 mi
201387%5,54949,091 mi
201285%5,78251,355 mi
201183%6,20756,335 mi
201083%8,57161,066 mi
200982%7,64367,260 mi
200880%9,90771,545 mi
200779%14,26476,661 mi
200677%11,92078,342 mi
200574%6,45278,894 mi
200475%6,02583,106 mi
200375%7,84584,391 mi
200275%6,00188,865 mi
200173%4,09995,713 mi
200073%5,71695,771 mi
199973%8,53594,916 mi
199875%8,01796,676 mi
199776%5,88095,736 mi
199676%3,58894,755 mi
199574%2,20695,892 mi
199476%1,222106,680 mi
199378%1,148108,396 mi
199276%1,259115,553 mi
199178%1,798109,861 mi
199079%1,614108,931 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2014 MAZDA MX-5

The 2014 MAZDA MX-5 is a family car with a 1798cc petrol engine. 5,163 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2014, the average MOT pass rate is 81%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 41,708 miles at 12 years old, MAZDA MX-5 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2014 MAZDA MX-5 Fuel Costs

The 1798cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2014 MAZDA MX-5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA MX-5 Reliability Trend

Newer MAZDA MX-5s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2014 MAZDA MX-5

At 12 years old, the MAZDA MX-5 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 5,163 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2014 MAZDA MX-5's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 12 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2014 MAZDA MX-5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA MX-5(2014)89%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)78%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£325
FORD FOCUS(2013)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2015)81%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1572-£475
VAUXHALL MOKKA(2015)79%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£325

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Mazda Models

Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda Mx-5.

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