2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 974 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 96.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.9% | 19 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.5% | 15 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 10 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 9 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 10 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 3 | Washers | 9 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 8 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 3 |
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% | 130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 120 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.2% | 31 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 29 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.5% | 15 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 8 |
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 | 854 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 117 | 8.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 324 | 2.5% |
| 2024 | 321 | 1.9% |
| 2025 | 327 | 5.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Mx-5 Rf
Before buying a 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 1.9% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (1.9% 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 (1.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.0% 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 Mx-5 Rfs pass their MOT?
96.6% of the 974 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mazda Mx-5 Rf?
Tyres, recorded in 1.9% of tests, followed by visibility (1.5%).
Does the 2020 Mx-5 Rf get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 8.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 974 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.