Mazda MX-5 R-Sport (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 123 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,853
£154/month
MOT Pass Rate
99%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 12-25
1496cc Petrol
Great Choice
99% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 17 points above average.
Check a specific Mazda MX-5 R-Sport
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 17 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Mazda brand average of 81%.
99% of MOT tests on Mazda MX-5 R-Sports from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 123 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 14,707 miles.
Got a Mazda MX-5 R-Sport you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
14,707
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport had 14,707 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Looking at a specific Mazda MX-5 R-Sport?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Mazda MX-5 R-Sport
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport
The 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport is a small family car. Our records list a 1496cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 123 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 4% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 14,707 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda MX-5 R-Sport owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport 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 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport?
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 99% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport
At 5 years old, the Mazda MX-5 R-Sport offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
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.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport 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 R-Sport(2021) | 99% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853 |
| Ford Fiesta(2019) | 91% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630-£223 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853same |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2019) | 88% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,003+£150 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853same |
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 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport
Is the 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 99% of MOT tests on 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sports ended in a pass, from 123 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport 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 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport?
99% of 123 MOT tests on the 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 119th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 4%).
Which year Mazda MX-5 R-Sport has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport has the highest MOT pass rate at 99% and the 2020 the lowest at 97%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.
What is the average mileage for a 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Mazda MX-5 R-Sport is 14,707 miles, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Related Mazda Models
Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.
Mazda 2
2010 · 1349cc Petrol
Mazda 3
2015 · 1998cc Petrol
Mazda CX-5
2019 · 2000cc Petrol
Ford Fiesta
2019 · 998cc Petrol
Volkswagen Golf
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda MX-5 R-Sport.
Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026 (Ranked With Real MOT Data)
11 min read
Reliability20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
Buying GuideCars That Hold Their Value UK 2026 (Up to 78% After 3 Years)
10 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Common Problems: 7 Issues That Could Cost £1,500+ (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific Mazda MX-5 R-Sport
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a Mazda MX-5 R-Sport? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
With outstanding finance included