Used Mazda MX-5 2015-present reliability
Category: Sports car
The Mazda MX-5 is a fantastic two-seat convertible that's great to drive and doesn’t cost the Earth to buy or run
What should I look for in a used Mazda MX-5 sports?
The Mazda MX-5 was praised when it came out for having a leak-free roof – something that sports cars haven't always been able to boast about over the years. If you test drive an MX-5 and want to check the roof for leaks, head to an automatic car wash and put the car through a cycle.
Being small, it should be easy to park. But, because the driver sits quite low, low bollards or walls can be overlooked, and rear parking sensors aren’t standard unless you get the Sport Nav. Check the bumpers for scrapes because it can be costly to put paint damage right.
What are the most common problems with a used Mazda MX-5 sports?
Under shield bracket
Some examples built between 26 May and 6 July 2015 could have an issue with a metal bracket used to keep the under shield in place failing. A dealer will be able to check if your car is affected by this and arrange to have a replacement bracket installed free of charge.
Automatic gearbox
If your MX-5 has an automatic gearbox and was built between 5 October 2016 and 22 November 2018, it might downshift into a lower gear when you didn't ask it to. A technician at your local Mazda dealer will need to update the software for the gearbox if it is affected by this recall to prevent this from happening.
Stop/start (i-ELOOP)
In issue with the start/stop (called i-ELOOP) of vehicles manufactured between 15 May 2015 and 13 April 2017 could lead to the system overheating and in extreme circumstances, catch fire. Ask a Mazda dealer to check whether or not your car is affected; if it is, it'll need to have the software updated by a technician and the whole system inspected because certain parts may need to be replaced.
Is a used Mazda MX-5 sports reliable?
In our 2023 used car reliability survey, the Mazda MX-5 was 10th out of 15 cars in the most reliable used sports car class. It scored 89.7%, a little down on its performance the year before.
Mazda performed well in our manufacturer table, too. With a 92.8% rating, it was our 13th most reliable used car brand out of a total of 32 manufacturers. It finished above Porsche, Renault and Volkswagen, but below BMW, Honda and Suzuki.
