Rust (rear arches, sills, subframe)
usually 80,000–300,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Bubbling rear arches — very common
Fix: Rust repair / cavity wax
€300–1,500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mazda MX-5 (NC)
2005–2015
1
engines covered
4
known faults
46,841
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
3
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mazda MX-5 (NC) was built from 2005 to 2015.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 4 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Rust (rear arches, sills, subframe): it usually appears at 80,000–300,000 km and costs €300–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: suspension (9.3 %), lights, wipers and visibility (7.7 %), brakes (6.4 %). It fails less often than average on: tyres and wheels, lights, wipers and visibility, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3–2.5 MZR / Duratec HE petrol | Petrol | Chain | 5W-30 · API SL/SM / Ford WSS-M2C913 · ~4.3 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Faults by engine
1.3–2.5 MZR / Duratec HE petrol
Ignition coils / throttle body
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire, uneven idle
Fix: Replace coil, clean throttle body
€100–300
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.3–2.5 MZR / Duratec HE petrol engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 46,841 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 3.5 % | 6.4 % | 8.2 % | 11.2 % | 10.1 % |
| Suspension | 4.5 % | 9.3 % | 14.8 % | 17.2 % | 17.9 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.3 % | 0.6 % | 1.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 1.6 % | 2.9 % | 3.9 % | 4.3 % | 5.6 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 4.8 % | 7.7 % | 13.2 % | 18.7 % | 20.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.2 % | 1.2 % | 3.4 % | 5.5 % | 7.6 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 1.1 % | 1.7 % | 4.4 % | 7.2 % | 11.1 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 67 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (3). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fire risk Fuel Pipe Concern03/11/2025 · R/2025/442
- Steering Undershield metal bracket may separate from vehicle02/09/2019 · R/2019/265
- Fire risk Control logic which monitors the charging control program fails to divert electrical power away from capacitor in the event of a fault17/09/2018 · R/2018/237
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026