2020 Mazda 2 -L Mhev — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,867 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Mazda 2 -L Mhev, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 94.5% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.0% | 117 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 98 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.9% | 74 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.7% | 65 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 15 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.1% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 130 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 99 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 77 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 35 |
| 5 | Washers | 27 |
| 6 | Daytime running lamps | 10 |
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 | 15.1% | 583 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.5% | 408 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.5% | 172 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 117 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 31 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 17 |
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 | 2,860 | 4.3% |
| 30-60k | 936 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 60 | 8.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 46 | 4.3% |
| 2023 | 1,276 | 3.8% |
| 2024 | 1,255 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 1,290 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 2 -L Mhev
Before buying a 2020 Mazda 2 -L Mhev, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 3.0% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (3.0% 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 (2.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2 -L Mhevs pass their MOT?
94.5% of the 3,867 2020 Mazda 2 -L Mhev MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Mazda 2 -L Mhev?
Visibility, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.5%).
Does the 2020 2 -L Mhev get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 0-30k band to 8.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,867 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.