2012 Mazda 5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Mazda 5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Mazda 5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Anti-roll bar link joints4.8× usual
  Mazda 5

  14.4% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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 system3.2× usual
  Mazda 5

  16.1% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.4% of all 2012 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 joints2× usual
  Mazda 5

  17.9% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.9% of all 2012 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)7.4× usual
  Mazda 5

  6.7% All 2012 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 0.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Mazda 5

  9.4% All 2012 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Mazda 5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Mazda 5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% 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
  36% 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
  32% 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
  22% 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
  18% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 4.8× as often on the 2012 Mazda 5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2012 Mazda 5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Mazda 5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?