Mazda MX-5 NC

Mazda MX-5 NC
Photo: IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Mazda MX-5 NC (2006–2015): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 36 versions in the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: NC

Dimensions, weights and capacity

SpecificationEuropeNorth AmericaWikipedia
Dimensions
Length3,980–4,020 mm RDW3,990 mm TC4,000–4,020 mm
Width1,720 mm RDW1,720 mm TC1,720 mm
Height1,230–1,260 mm RDW1,250 mm TC1,240–1,255 mm
Wheelbase2,270–2,330 mm RDW2,330 mm TC2,330 mm
Front track1,490–1,495 mm ASTRA1,490 mm TC–
Rear track1,495–1,505 mm ASTRA1,480 mm TC–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight1,010–1,075 kg RDW1,120–1,194 kg TC1,110–1,153 kg
Mass in running order1,110–1,175 kg RDW––
Gross vehicle weight1,250–1,375 kg RDW––
Towing, braked trailer1,155 kg RDW––
Seats and space
Seats2 RDW––
Doors2 RDW––
Performance
Top speed191–218 km/h RDW––
Torque150–200 Nm ASTRA––

Tyre sizes (most common first): 205/50R16, 205/45R17, 185/60R14, 195/50R15, 205/45R16, 175/65R14

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Transport Canada vehicle specifications, Wikipedia, ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at testPass rateUK averageTests
6–8 years92.5% (92.0–93.1)86.4%8,309
9–12 years86.8% (86.4–87.1)77.9%36,244
13 years and older77.1% (76.8–77.4)69.2%78,449

What the MOT finds

AreaThis modelUK average, same ages
Suspension28.0%35.4%
Brakes25.3%32.7%
Tyres19.7%31.0%
Lights and electrics10.6%24.1%
Visibility (glass, mirrors, wipers)7.3%10.5%
Body, chassis and structure5.1%14.3%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

71 complaints for model years 2006–2015. 6 crashes · 5 injuries

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 36 versions of the Mazda MX-5 NC

Show all 36 versions

European Union 10 versions

New cars registered in the EU (plus Norway and Iceland), from the European Environment Agency. Figures on the NEDC procedure until 2020 and on WLTP from 2021; versions are grouped by engine and power, with their number of registrations.

Years and versionEnginePowerFuelCO₂EU registrations
20151.5 L96 kW (131 PS)Petrol139 g/km5,512
20152.0 L118 kW (160 PS)Petrol156 g/km4,064
2011–20151.8 L93 kW (126 PS)Petrol167 g/km30,404
2011–20152.0 L118 kW (160 PS)Petrol181–183 g/km22,804
20131.8 L–Other fuel167 g/km128
20132.0 L–Other fuel185 g/km10
2010–2012––Petrol172–173 g/km132
20121.8 L93 kW (126 PS)Petrol167 g/km14
20101.8 L–Petrol168 g/km12,190
20102.0 L–Petrol182 g/km7,566

United Kingdom 14 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2006–20151.81.8 LPetrol5-speed manual7.0–7.3 L/100 km NEDC167–174 g/km
2006–20152.0 5 speed2.0 LPetrol5-speed manual7.4–7.7 L/100 km NEDC177–183 g/km
2006–20152.0 6 speed2.0 LPetrol6-speed manual7.6–8.2 L/100 km NEDC181–193 g/km
2012–20152.02.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
2013–20141.81.8 LPetrolManual7.1 L/100 km NEDC167 g/km
2013–20142 · 2.02.0 LPetrolAutomatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
2013–20142.0 5 speed2.0 LPetrolManual7.6 L/100 km NEDC177 g/km
2013–20142.0 6 speed2.0 LPetrolManual7.8 L/100 km NEDC181 g/km
20122.02.0 LPetrol5-speed manual7.6 L/100 km NEDC177 g/km
20122.02.0 LPetrol6-speed manual7.8 L/100 km NEDC181 g/km
2009–20102.0 6 speed2.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic7.9 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
20061.61.6 LPetrol5-speed manual7.8 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
20061.8 5 speed1.8 LPetrol5-speed manual8.7 L/100 km NEDC210 g/km
20061.8 6 speed1.8 LPetrol6-speed manual8.9 L/100 km NEDC215 g/km

France 5 versions

New cars on sale in France, from ADEME Car Labelling. NEDC figures until 2015, WLTP figures in the current catalogue.

Years and versionEnginePowerFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2012–2015MX-5 1.8L MZR (126ch)–93 kW (126 PS)Petrol5-speed manual7.1 L/100 km NEDC167 g/km
2015MX-5 2.0L MZR (160ch) BVM6–118 kW (160 PS)Petrol6-speed manual7.8 L/100 km NEDC181 g/km
2012–2014MX-5 2.0L MZR (160ch)–118 kW (160 PS)Petrol6-speed manual7.8 L/100 km NEDC181 g/km
2014MX-5 2.0L MZR ACTIVEMATIC (160ch)–118 kW (160 PS)Petrol6-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km
2012–2013MX-5 2.0L MZR BVA (160ch) · MX-5 2.0L MZR ACTIVEMATIC (160ch)–118 kW (160 PS)Petrol6-speed automatic8.0 L/100 km NEDC188 g/km

United States 4 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxDriveConsumption (combined)CO₂
2006–20152.0 LPetrol6-speed manualRear-wheel drive24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA230 g/km
2006–20152.0 LPetrol5-speed manualRear-wheel drive24 MPG (9.8 L/100 km) EPA223–230 g/km
2009–20152.0 LPetrol6-speed automaticRear-wheel drive23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA234–240 g/km
2006–2008DC/FW2.0 LPetrol6-speed automaticRear-wheel drive23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA240 g/km

Canada 3 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and versionEngineFuelGearboxConsumption (combined)CO₂
2006–2015Two-seater2.0 LPetrol5-speed manual9.6–9.9 L/100 km 5-cycle221–228 g/km
2006–2015Two-seater2.0 LPetrol6-speed automatic10.1–10.4 L/100 km 5-cycle232–239 g/km
2006–2015Two-seater2.0 LPetrol6-speed manual9.9–10.1 L/100 km 5-cycle228–232 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.