2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 91.8% of Mazda MX-5s first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda MX-5s first used in 2020 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
91.8%
of 1,055 first tests; all cars first used in 2020: 86.0%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,215
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,055 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
65.2%
of 1,055 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
18,500
middle half: 13,000–27,500 miles; all cars first used in 2020: 37,500

How the 2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, MX-5s first used in 2020 against all cars first used in 2020 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the MX-5 figure was 5.8 points higher.

2020 MX-5All cars first used in 2020
80%90%100%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2020, test year 2021: 84.7%All cars first used in 2020, test year 2022: 90.2%All cars first used in 2020, test year 2023: 87.7%All cars first used in 2020, test year 2024: 86.9%All cars first used in 2020, test year 2025: 86%2020 MX-5, test year 2023: 94.6%2020 MX-5, test year 2024: 94.4%2020 MX-5, test year 2025: 91.8%91.8%86%
View this chart as a table
Test year2020 MX-5All cars first used 2020MX-5 first tests
2021fewer than 500 tests84.7%14
2022fewer than 500 tests90.2%15
202394.6%87.7%1,065
202494.4%86.9%1,095
202591.8%86.0%1,055

Common 2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2020 MX-5s, as a share of all 3,215 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.9%286
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge5.5%177
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.9%159
Brake pads: wearing thin4.0%128
Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.6%83

Questions about the 2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT

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

In 2025, 91.8% of MX-5s first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

How often does a 2020 Mazda MX-5 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 8.2% of first tests on MX-5s first used in 2020 did not pass first time: 5.6% failed, and a further 2.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 206 of 3,215 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT advisories?

“Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (on 8.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (5.5%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.9%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (4.0%) and “Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (2.6%).

Is a 2020 Mazda MX-5 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 94.6% in 2023 to 91.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2020

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2020 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2020 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2020 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2020 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2020 MINI Hatch MOT statistics

How the 2020 Mazda MX-5 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2020 MX-5” means a Mazda MX-5 whose date of first use falls in 2020 (69, 20 and 70 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2020, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.