CarHistory.cc
‹ Mazda

Mazda 5 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

4,729 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2007–2010 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 4 Mazda 5 years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

47.8%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 46.4% to 49.2%.

In 2025, 47.8% of the 4,729 initial MOT tests on Mazda 5 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 58.0%. That is 10.2 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific Mazda 5

Its own MOT history, free.

Mazda 5 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2010age 151,240104,30048.7%±2.8−10.6 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 161,017105,30046.1%±3.1−12.2 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 171,375112,30050.0%±2.7−7.2 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 181,097117,70045.6%±3.0−11.8 ptsall: 57.4%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Mazda 5 first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

45.7% of Mazda 5 tests at 90,000 to 119,999 miles passed first time, against 45.6% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 55.0% and 54.5%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
90,000–119,9991,82345.7%±2.3−9.3 ptsall: 55.0%
120,000 or more1,75745.6%±2.4−8.8 ptsall: 54.5%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Mazda 5 tests were below average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Mazda 5 tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000, 30,000–59,999 and 60,000–89,999. 2 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Mazda 5 problems at the MOT

Share of the 2,469 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these can add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.

Most common MOT failures on the Mazda 5

The defects recorded most often at the 2,469 failed initial tests on Mazda 5 cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

DefectShare of failed testsAll vehicles, same age
Position lamp not workingLights and electrics19.2%473 tests14.2%
Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension12.4%305 tests6.1%
Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis, structure11.8%292 tests6.6%
Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension11.1%274 tests5.2%
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights and electrics10.1%250 tests7.0%
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gasesBody, chassis, structure10.1%249 tests4.0%
Headlamp not working on dipped beamLights and electrics9.3%229 tests5.5%
Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limitsNoise, emissions, leaks8.8%218 tests2.8%
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively wornSuspension8.8%217 tests3.6%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks7.8%193 tests5.8%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Mazda 5's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a Mazda 5

Based on the areas where Mazda 5 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Suspension

    In 50.4% of failed Mazda 5 tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.

  2. Lights and electrics

    In 48.5% of failed Mazda 5 tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.

  3. Body, chassis, structure

    In 27.1% of failed Mazda 5 tests

    • Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
    • Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot, and check each one latches properly.
    • Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.

  4. Noise, emissions, leaks

    In 24.3% of failed Mazda 5 tests

    • Ask to see the car start from cold. Heavy smoke from the exhaust is worth asking about.
    • Listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust with the engine running.
    • Look under the car for drips of oil, coolant or other fluids.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Mazda 5's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Mazda 5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Suspension

Of Mazda 5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 24.0% failed on suspension, against 18.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,168 and 1,806 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory24.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted18.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 22.9% of those with a suspension advisory and 17.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Mazda 5 questions

Which Mazda 5 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2007–2010. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Mazda 5 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 47.8% of initial MOT tests on Mazda 5 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 58.0%. That is 10.2 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Mazda 5 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are suspension (in 50.4% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 48.5% of failed tests) and body, chassis, structure (in 27.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Mazda 5?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Mazda 5 cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 104,300 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Mazda 5's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Mazda 5

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Mazda models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 10 Mazda modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Mazda 5 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count