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Mazda 5 reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-20152 named generationsMPVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Mazda 5 built around 2008: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Mazda 5 models built around 2008 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Mazda 5 by number plate

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Mazda 5 models built around 2008 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 8% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mazda 5 models built around 2008 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mazda 5's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 5's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

5 Mk2 (CW)

Mk2 (CW) (2010-2015)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

27.2% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Likely between 24.5% and 30.2%

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 925 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk1 (CR) (2005-2009)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

36.3% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 1,887 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mazda 5.

See every build year for the Mazda 5

Side-by-side

Mazda 5 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk2 (CW) (2010-2015)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate27.2%likely between 24.5% and 30.2%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 925 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (CR) (2005-2009)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate36.3%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 1,887 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the 5, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mazda 5 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mazda 5 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
30422.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
92527.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
76027.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,12530.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,02630.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,33632.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
1,79336.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,65035.3%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,88736.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,11738.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
40937.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
7034.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 17-year-old Mazda 5 models

These issues come from 17-year-old Mazda 5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    34.9%
    Advisory: 770Fail: 370 (32% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    28.6%
    Advisory: 738Fail: 63 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    26.3%
    Advisory: 812Fail: 20 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    17.9%
    Advisory: 288Fail: 83 (22% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    17.1%
    Advisory: 448Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,887 MOT tests on 17-year-old Mazda 5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 17-year-old Mazda 5 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Body & structure + Suspension41%
  2. Suspension + Tyres37%
  3. Brakes + Suspension35%
  4. Lighting + Suspension32%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,416 MOT tests on Mazda 5 cars built around 2008 (17 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

92%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

6 recalls in all

All 6 Mazda 5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • Fire may occur
  • Engine may stall
  • Engine revs may increase inadvertently

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.4%

    Lower fail rate: 21.1%, against 36.3% for the Mazda 5, both built around 2008.

    1,330 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Toyota Alphard

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.2%
    Dangerous
    5.6%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 36.3% for the Mazda 5, both built around 2008.

    2,023 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Nissan Elgrand

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    Lower fail rate: 23.1%, against 36.3% for the Mazda 5, both built around 2008.

    2,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Volkswagen Caddy

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.4%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.8%

    Lower fail rate: 29.5%, against 36.3% for the Mazda 5, both built around 2008.

    6,217 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Mazda 5 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,887 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mazda 5 ever sold: 12,402 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2008 (17 years old): 1,887 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.