Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech (2020)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 446 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,086
£174/month
MOT Pass Rate
99%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 18-32
1998cc Petrol
Great Choice
99% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 17 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 17 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Mazda brand average of 81%.
99% of MOT tests on Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Techs from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 446 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 18,809 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
18,809
Average miles
29,600
Expected for age
The average 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech had 18,809 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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About the 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech is a family car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 446 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 4% of all 2020 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 18,809 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech Fuel Costs
The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 99% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech
At 6 years old, the Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
Common Issues to Watch For
These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.
Timing Chain / Belt
Watch outAt 6 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 RF Sport Tech stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Est. Ins. Group | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech(2020) | 99% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Ford Kuga(2018) | 90% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| MINI Cooper(2018) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Questions about the 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech
Is the 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 99% of MOT tests on 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Techs ended in a pass, from 446 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech?
99% of 446 MOT tests on the 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 83rd of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (top 4%).
Which year Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech has the highest MOT pass rate at 99% and the 2021 the lowest at 95%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.
What is the average mileage for a 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Mazda MX-5 RF Sport Tech is 18,809 miles, which is below the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Related Mazda Models
Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.
Mazda 2
2010 · 1349cc Petrol
Mazda 3
2015 · 1998cc Petrol
Mazda CX-5
2019 · 2000cc Petrol
Volkswagen Golf
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
Ford Kuga
2018 · 1499cc Petrol
MINI Cooper
2018 · 1499cc Petrol
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