2011 Mazda 5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Mazda 5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Mazda 5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Anti-roll bar link joints4.4× usual
  Mazda 5

  16% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Exhaust system2.9× usual
  Mazda 5

  17% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Mazda 5

  17.4% All 2011 cars

  9.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Sub-frame2.5× usual
  Mazda 5

  10.6% All 2011 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Ball joint2× usual
  Mazda 5

  11.5% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2011 Mazda 5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Mazda 5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  54% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  37% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  29% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Rust and bodywork
  8% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Mazda 5 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2011 Mazda 5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2011 Mazda 5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2011 Mazda 5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?