Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L reliable?

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles, the 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mazda Cx 5 SE L (2020)

182 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.2% first-time pass rate

2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L

CarHunch analysed 182 real MOT records for the 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 SE-L is significantly more reliable than average, with a 91.7% first-time pass rate well ahead of the UK's 80% benchmark, and only 17% of vehicles ever developing a dangerous defect—a manageable figure for a buyer. The petrol engine variant maintains this strong 91.4% pass rate with no notable weak spot.

At just over 31,000 miles on average, these vehicles are lightly used for their age, which partly explains the impressive results. The low failure rate of 0.34 per vehicle combined with modest advisory counts (3.7 per vehicle) suggests routine maintenance keeps most examples in good shape, so as a buyer you should focus your inspection on full service history and any signs of deferred maintenance rather than inherent mechanical problems.

We have limited data for the 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

92.2%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

17%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.34

Over 3.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

30k

Middle half: 22k–39k

For context

These stats describe 182 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 182 Mazda Cx 5 SE L cars.

Before you buy a 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L

Based on MOT data from 182 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 17% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	176	91.9%	0.35

Mileage Distribution

Most 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

30,085

typical

22,492

low mileage

38,873

high mileage

Half of all 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L vehicles fall between 22,492 and 38,873 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 22,492 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 22,492–38,873 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE Ls sit.

⚠ Over 52,478 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE L — Still on the Road

Almost all 2020 Mazda Cx 5 SE Ls are still on the road.

Strong survival — 172 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

3.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.34

Avg failures per vehicle

3.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mazda Cx 5 SE L: All Cx 5 SE L years → Which year to buy? →

2021 2022

Or browse all models: Mazda →

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Average reliability — agree?