2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf Gt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 352 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf Gt, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, visibility and tyres. Its pass rate of 95.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 1.4% | 5 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.4% | 5 |
| 3 | Tyres | 1.4% | 5 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 2 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 2 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 7 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 4 |
| 3 | Brake discs | 3 |
| 4 | Wipers | 3 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 2 |
| 6 | Washers | 2 |
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 | 13.4% | 47 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 46 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.7% | 13 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 11 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.7% | 6 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 320 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 30 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 118 | 4.2% |
| 2024 | 118 | 3.4% |
| 2025 | 115 | 5.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Mx-5 Rf Gt
Before buying a 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf Gt, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 1.4% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (1.4% 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.
- Visibility (1.4% 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.
- Tyres (1.4% 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.
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 Mx-5 Rf Gts pass their MOT?
95.7% of the 352 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf Gt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf Gt?
Brakes, recorded in 1.4% of tests, followed by visibility (1.4%).
Does the 2020 Mx-5 Rf Gt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 352 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.