2020 Mazda MX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,347 MOT tests on the 2020 Mazda MX-5 are in this dataset, and 95.8% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 8.2% of the time, so this is 4.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (1.8%) and visibility (1.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, brake pads and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 50 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 12.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.7% of tests failed in 2023 against 5.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.8% | 59 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.6% | 52 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 47 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 37 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 13 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 33 |
| 3 | Wipers | 32 |
| 4 | Washers | 30 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 16 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 12 |
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 | 12.9% | 433 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.0% | 402 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.2% | 107 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.3% | 76 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.6% | 52 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 25 |
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 | 2,901 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 418 | 8.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,103 | 3.7% |
| 2024 | 1,103 | 3.5% |
| 2025 | 1,107 | 5.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 MX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 1.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (1.8% 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 (1.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% 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-5s pass their MOT?
95.8% of the 3,347 2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mazda MX-5?
Tyres, recorded in 1.8% of tests, followed by visibility (1.6%).
Does the 2020 MX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 8.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,347 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.