Mazda CX-5 MOT pass rate and common problems
85.9% of 99,326 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests pass.
The CX-5 passes its MOT 85.9% of the time — well above the average across all Mazda models, which sits at 77.9%.
The Mazda CX-5 passes its MOT 85.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mazda CX-5?
This is the average across every Mazda CX-5 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mazda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Mazda CX-5 tested at 0–3 years pass 95.2% of the time, compared with just 73.1% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.2% | 6,105 | 24,736 miles |
| 3–6 years | 91.3% | 36,556 | 39,066 miles |
| 6–10 years | 84.1% | 42,493 | 71,016 miles |
| 10–15 years | 73.1% | 14,172 | 94,740 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda CX-5
The most common reason the Mazda CX-5 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 29.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 29.8% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 26.3% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 23.2% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.4% | Not working |
| Visibility | 16.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 12.8% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.3% | Retracting mechanism defective |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.9% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Road Wheels | 0.9% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mazda CX-5: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda CX-5’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mazda CX-5 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 84.1% to 73.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 82.7% down to 75.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 29.8% of failed Mazda CX-5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 15.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 26.3% of failed Mazda CX-5 MOTs. 7.1% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 1.9% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 23.2% of failed Mazda CX-5 MOTs. 5.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 2.6% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 19.4% of failed Mazda CX-5 MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 16.3% of failed Mazda CX-5 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mazda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mazda models
- Mazda 2 — 75.2% pass rate
- Mazda MX-5 — 78.9% pass rate
- Mazda 3 — 74.5% pass rate
- Mazda 6 — 75.4% pass rate
- Mazda CX-3 — 89.1% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 — 94.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda CX-5?
- 85.9% of Mazda CX-5 MOT tests pass, based on 99,326 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda CX-5?
- The most common reason the Mazda CX-5 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 29.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda CX-5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda CX-5 are suspension; brakes; tyres. Rare on young cars, but 15.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda CX-5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; brakes; tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mazda CX-5's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mazda service history guide for how to check and keep one.