2020 Mazda CX-5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Mazda CX-5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Mazda CX-5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Brake pads1.8× usual
  Mazda CX-5

  14% All 2020 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Shock absorbers1.7× usual
  Mazda CX-5

  2.7% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2020 Mazda CX-5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Mazda CX-5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  21% 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
  20% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Suspension
  4% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Mazda CX-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 brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2020 Mazda CX-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2020 Mazda CX-5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?