Mazda CX-5 SE-L MOT pass rate and common problems
92.7% of 1,562 Mazda CX-5 SE-L MOT tests pass.
The CX-5 SE-L passes its MOT 92.7% of the time — well above the average across all Mazda models, which sits at 77.9%.
The Mazda CX-5 SE-L passes its MOT 92.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mazda CX-5 SE-L?
This is the average across every Mazda CX-5 SE-L 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 stays relatively stable with age: 92.8% at 0–3 years versus 92.6% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 92.8% | 900 | 24,181 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.6% | 660 | 29,237 miles |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda CX-5 SE-L
The most common reason the Mazda CX-5 SE-L fails its MOT is brakes — present in 30.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 30.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 27.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 24.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.2% | Too high |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.4% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 2.4% | Fixing missing |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.2% | Component damaged and likely to cause injury |
| Steering | 0.6% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Suspension | 0.6% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Mazda CX-5 SE-L: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda CX-5 SE-L’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.0% down to 87.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 30.6% of failed Mazda CX-5 SE-L MOTs.
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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 27.6% of failed Mazda CX-5 SE-L MOTs. 4.2% of tests at 3–6 years failed on tyres, against 2.1% 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.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 24.7% of failed Mazda CX-5 SE-L 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.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 11.2% of failed Mazda CX-5 SE-L 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. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 2.9% of failed Mazda CX-5 SE-L MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
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 B Series — 67.0% pass rate
- Mazda MX-5 RF — 97.3% pass rate
- Mazda CX-7 — 66.2% pass rate
- Mazda Eunos — 69.2% pass rate
- Mazda E Series — 62.6% pass rate
- Mazda RX-7 — 87.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda CX-5 SE-L?
- 92.7% of Mazda CX-5 SE-L MOT tests pass, based on 1,562 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda CX-5 SE-L?
- The most common reason the Mazda CX-5 SE-L fails its MOT is brakes — present in 30.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Less than 1.5 mm thick".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda CX-5 SE-L?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda CX-5 SE-L are brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda CX-5 SE-L?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 SE-L'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.