2020 Mazda Cx-5 -L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 571 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Mazda Cx-5 -L, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, tyres and visibility. Its pass rate of 91.1% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 4.0% | 23 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.9% | 22 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.6% | 15 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 8 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 2 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 2 |
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 | 24 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 3 | Wipers | 10 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 5 | Washers | 5 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.6% | 175 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.6% | 95 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.9% | 45 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.7% | 21 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.8% | 16 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 4 |
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 | 297 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 253 | 10.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 191 | 8.9% |
| 2024 | 196 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 183 | 6.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Cx-5 -L
Before buying a 2020 Mazda Cx-5 -L, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 4.0% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (4.0% 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.
- Tyres (3.9% 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.
- Visibility (2.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 -Ls pass their MOT?
91.1% of the 571 2020 Mazda Cx-5 -L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mazda Cx-5 -L?
Brakes, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by tyres (3.9%).
Does the 2020 Cx-5 -L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 10.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 571 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.