2020 Mazda Cx-5 Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,819 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Mazda Cx-5 Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 15.0% in the 60-90k group versus 5.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 62 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.6% | 47 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 32 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 29 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 50 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 45 |
| 3 | Wipers | 28 |
| 4 | Washers | 9 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.8% | 341 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.4% | 298 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.2% | 131 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 77 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.6% | 65 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 15 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,042 | 5.6% |
| 30-60k | 714 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 60 | 15.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 604 | 6.1% |
| 2024 | 598 | 7.5% |
| 2025 | 616 | 7.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Cx-5 Auto
Before buying a 2020 Mazda Cx-5 Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.4% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Mazda Cx-5 Autos pass their MOT?
93.0% of the 1,819 2020 Mazda Cx-5 Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mazda Cx-5 Auto?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by brakes (2.6%).
Does the 2020 Cx-5 Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.6% in the 0-30k band to 15.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,819 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.