2020 · 4 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,074 MOT tests in 2024. 94.4% passed first time, compared with 86.9% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time94.4%
Failed or needed repairs5.6%
Typical mileage at test15,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,074 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.7%
    9 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.7%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
  4. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.6%
  5. Headlamp aim: too low0.6%
  6. Headlamp aim: too high0.5%
  7. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits0.4%
  8. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn0.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics1.7%
  2. Brakes1.4%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.4%
  4. Tyres1.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks0.7%
  6. Suspension0.4%
  7. Body & chassis0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure4.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Mazda MX-5?

In 2024, 94.4% of 2020 Mazda MX-5 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,074 tests. The average for all 4-year-old cars was 86.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2020 Mazda MX-5?

The most common failure reasons were brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2020 Mazda MX-5 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).