What Car? Magazine in its annual reliability survey of more than 50,000 cars has confirmed that the iconic Mazda MX-5 sportscar is the most reliable car in Britain.
Being the most reliable car the Mazda MX-5’s manufactured since 2005 recorded a failure rate of just four percent – the lowest of all cars in the 2012 survey – compared to the next nearest open-top competitor at 15 percent. With 96 percent of these Mazda models being fault-free, the MX-5 also achieved an impressive Reliability Index (RI) score of just eight (the lower score, the better the car), while the national average score for individual models was 100. According to the survey, MX-5 owners also benefit from the lowest repair costs with an average repair bill of just £165.
The survey calculates a vehicle’s Reliability Index (RI) from several factors – the number of times it fails, the cost of repair, the average time it spends off the road being repaired, its age and mileage.
“It’s no surprise that the MX-5 became the most reliable car scored so highly in the What Car? annual survey,” comments David Wilson-Green, Aftersales Director, Mazda UK. “The Mazda MX-5 has won many awards over the years and regularly achieves excellent reviews in the national media for the pure driving enjoyment it provides and its distinctive good looks. Our Japanese brand is renowned for its engineering expertise and for its remarkably reliable models, which is one of the reasons we have so many loyal customers.”
For more than 20 years the two-seater MX-5 has captured the hearts of motorists, earning its accolade as the ‘world’s best-selling two-seater sportscar’. Owners are often attracted to its stylish design and invigorating drive, but Mazda’s renowned reliability has played a major role in its longevity, something the What Car?Magazine survey endorses in the September edition.
“The MX-5 is the perfect accessory for summer and its attractive on-the-road prices – from £15,051 including Mazda’s current 0% VAT^ saving – make it difficult to resist. The Eight-strong range presents a choice of a Soft-top or Roadster Coupe with a powered retractable hard-top.
For summer two new MX-5 Kuro special edition models are also available, with a host of special features included for added sportscar appeal,” adds Wilson-Green.
Focusing on sports styling and acknowledging Mazda’s growing involvement in motorsport, the MX‑5 Kuro models feature a brilliant black roof, brilliant black door mirrors and dark gunmetal 17-inch alloy wheels, plus a diffuser-style rear sports bumper with Sebring chrome exhaust trims, black detailing around the front grille and front fog lights, plus unique ‘Kuro Edition’ badging.
Inside, MX-5 Kuro has unique Stone and Black heated leather seats, Stone door inserts and climate control air-conditioning. The MX-5 1.8i Kuro Soft-top is priced from £18,495 and the MX-5 2.0i Kuro Roadster Coupe from £21,995 (OTR). Only 200 examples of the Kuro (Soft-top) and 600 of the Kuro (Roadster Coupe) will be available in the UK.