Used car guide · 2012–2026

Mazda CX-5 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mazda CX-5, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 199,052 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2025 Mazda CX-5

Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mazda CX-5 as a whole.

9,113on the UK register at the end of 2025
2028first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2025 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012

What usually goes wrong with a Mazda CX-5?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Intake valve recall: stalling (built Jan 2012 to June 2018)

    Cars registered 2012–2018 · Built Jan 2012 to June 2018

    An intake shutter valve could clog with soot and cause stalling or a no-start. Cars built January 2012 to June 2018 were recalled to clean or replace it and update the software.

    At the viewing: Ask a Mazda dealer to confirm the recall was done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mazda CX-5 review

Common Mazda CX-5 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 3.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2013.

    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.

Diesel

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012 and 2013.

    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.

Mazda CX-5 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 did best (84% passed first time, 4 points above all 2017 cars) and the 2013 did worst (67%, 0 points above all 2013 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202392%92% +0387 (small sample)
202290%89% +17,527
202189%87% +210,974
202089%87% +216,951
201987%85% +230,027
201885%83% +229,925
201784%80% +421,526
201678%77% +121,054
201576%74% +220,955
201472%70% +220,220
201367%67% +015,269
201266%64% +24,237

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mazda CX-5

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

  1. Has the intake shutter valve recall been done?
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Mazda CX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the Mazda CX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the Mazda CX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda CX-5?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score