Mazda MX-5 (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 8,140 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1496cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1496cc8 years old8,140 tests26k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1496cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Mazda brand average of 81%.

94% of MOT tests on Mazda MX-5s from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 8,140 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 26,083 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models112th of 607(top 19%)

Rank among Mazda models104th of 459(top 23%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+5%(89% avg)

vs Mazda average+13%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

26,083

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Mazda MX-5 had 26,083 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2018 scores 94%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Mazda MX-5 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	96%	613	14,518 mi
2020	96%	329	18,739 mi
2019	95%	7,343	21,631 mi
2018	94%	8,140	26,083 mi
2017	94%	8,344	31,395 mi
2016	91%	7,859	36,898 mi
2015	90%	5,320	41,274 mi
2014	89%	5,163	41,708 mi
2013	87%	5,549	49,091 mi
2012	85%	5,782	51,355 mi
2011	83%	6,207	56,335 mi
2010	83%	8,571	61,066 mi
2009	82%	7,643	67,260 mi
2008	80%	9,907	71,545 mi
2007	79%	14,264	76,661 mi
2006	77%	11,920	78,342 mi
2005	74%	6,452	78,894 mi
2004	75%	6,025	83,106 mi
2003	75%	7,845	84,391 mi
2002	75%	6,001	88,865 mi
2001	73%	4,099	95,713 mi
2000	73%	5,716	95,771 mi
1999	73%	8,535	94,916 mi
1998	75%	8,017	96,676 mi
1997	76%	5,880	95,736 mi
1996	76%	3,588	94,755 mi
1995	74%	2,206	95,892 mi
1994	76%	1,222	106,680 mi
1993	78%	1,148	108,396 mi
1992	76%	1,259	115,553 mi
1991	78%	1,798	109,861 mi
1990	79%	1,614	108,931 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-13%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-13%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-7%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-8%

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About the 2018 Mazda MX-5

The 2018 Mazda MX-5 is a small family car. Our records list a 1496cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 8,140 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 19% of all 2018 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 26,083 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda MX-5 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Fuel Costs

The 1496cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 Mazda MX-5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Mazda MX-5 Reliability Trend

Newer Mazda MX-5s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2018 Mazda MX-5

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 8,140 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 Mazda MX-5 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mazda MX-5(2018)	94%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£253
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£150
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£225
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£73

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2018 Mazda MX-5

Is the 2018 Mazda MX-5 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2018 Mazda MX-5s ended in a pass, from 8,140 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Mazda MX-5 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Mazda MX-5?

94% of 8,140 MOT tests on the 2018 Mazda MX-5 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 112th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top 19%).

Which year Mazda MX-5 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96% and the 2001 the lowest at 73%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 Mazda MX-5?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Mazda MX-5 is 26,083 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.