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MAZDA CX 5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,757 MOT tests from 234 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MAZDA CX 5 has the same fault.

MAZDA CX 5's have a very good reliability rating of 723/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MAZDA CX 5 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MAZDA CX 5.

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Check a Mazda Cx 5 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Mazda Cx 5 side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A888/999Excellent73,144 miles2,079 vehicles
N/AN/A859/999Excellent73,144 miles2,555 vehicles
N/AN/A797/999Very good75,343 miles2,528 vehicles
N/AN/A753/999Very good71,607 miles1,227 vehicles
N/AN/A730/999Very good77,021 miles3,320 vehicles
N/AN/A720/999Very good70,434 miles1,178 vehicles
N/AN/A696/999Good76,649 miles4,455 vehicles
N/AN/A684/999Good72,148 miles930 vehicles
N/AN/A664/999Good77,839 miles4,685 vehicles
N/AN/A633/999Good77,672 miles4,574 vehicles
N/AN/A632/999Good79,507 miles590 vehicles
N/AN/A615/999Good77,754 miles3,343 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA CX 5?

Based on 1,757 MOT tests from 234 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

234

MOT tests

1,757

Pass rate

83.3%

Median mileage

75,988 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MAZDA CX 5 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 771 out of 999.

Common MAZDA CX 5 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 305 advisory comments and 44 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 119 advisory comments and 22 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 89 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 23 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 20 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 18 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

MAZDA CX 5 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202570—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023181794.1%Tyre wear
2022203992.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021514100%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020104885.4%Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
20191910987.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20182819986.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20171411290.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20162925486.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20152020683.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20143035780.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20132128276.6%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
201279381.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used MAZDA CX 5

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

  • Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a MAZDA CX 5?

Common problems tell you what can affect MAZDA CX 5s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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