Is the 2020 MAZDA MX-5 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MAZDA MX-5s from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 329 tests. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2020 MAZDA MX-5 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

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

The 2020 MAZDA MX-5 has a 96% MOT pass rate based on 329 tests in 2026. This ranks 346 out of 2596 cars from 2020.

Which year MAZDA MX-5 is most reliable?

The 2021 MAZDA MX-5 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 73%.

MAZDA MX-5 (2020)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2020 MAZDA MX-5?

The average mileage for a 2020 MAZDA MX-5 is 18,739 miles, which is significantly below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 329 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,587

£132/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1496cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 14 points above average.

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Petrol1496cc6 years old329 tests19k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1496cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Per week£31/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 6 years old, 96% of MAZDA MX-5s from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 329 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 18,739 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars346th of 2,596(top 13%)

Rank among MAZDA models53th of 483(top 11%)

vs national average+14%(82% avg)

vs 2020 cars average+4%(92% avg)

vs MAZDA average+15%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

18,739

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 MAZDA MX-5 has 18,739 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific MAZDA MX-5?

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 73%. The 2020 sits between the two at 96%.

MAZDA MX-5 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	96%	613	14,518 mi
2020	96%	329	18,739 mi
2019	95%	7,343	21,631 mi
2018	94%	8,140	26,083 mi
2017	94%	8,344	31,395 mi
2016	91%	7,859	36,898 mi
2015	90%	5,320	41,274 mi
2014	89%	5,163	41,708 mi
2013	87%	5,549	49,091 mi
2012	85%	5,782	51,355 mi
2011	83%	6,207	56,335 mi
2010	83%	8,571	61,066 mi
2009	82%	7,643	67,260 mi
2008	80%	9,907	71,545 mi
2007	79%	14,264	76,661 mi
2006	77%	11,920	78,342 mi
2005	74%	6,452	78,894 mi
2004	75%	6,025	83,106 mi
2003	75%	7,845	84,391 mi
2002	75%	6,001	88,865 mi
2001	73%	4,099	95,713 mi
2000	73%	5,716	95,771 mi
1999	73%	8,535	94,916 mi
1998	75%	8,017	96,676 mi
1997	76%	5,880	95,736 mi
1996	76%	3,588	94,755 mi
1995	74%	2,206	95,892 mi
1994	76%	1,222	106,680 mi
1993	78%	1,148	108,396 mi
1992	76%	1,259	115,553 mi
1991	78%	1,798	109,861 mi
1990	79%	1,614	108,931 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2018 · 998cc Petrol

£1,400/year

90%

-6%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

-4%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2018 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,732/year

85%

-11%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2018 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

87%

-9%

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About the 2020 MAZDA MX-5

The 2020 MAZDA MX-5 is a small family car with a 1496cc petrol engine. 329 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 13% of all 2020 cars for reliability.

With an average of 18,739 miles at 6 years old, MAZDA MX-5 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2020 MAZDA MX-5 Fuel Costs

The 1496cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2020 MAZDA MX-5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

MAZDA MX-5 Reliability Trend

Newer MAZDA MX-5s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2020 MAZDA MX-5

At 6 years old, the MAZDA MX-5 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 MAZDA MX-5's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2020 MAZDA MX-5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA MX-5(2020)	96%	£1137	£195	Grp 12-25	£1587
FORD FIESTA(2018)	90%	£955	£190	Grp 1-8	£1400-£187
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£5
VAUXHALL CORSA(2018)	85%	£1137	£190	Grp 8-20	£1732+£145
NISSAN QASHQAI(2018)	87%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550-£37

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.