Used buying checklist

Mazda 5 reliability, common problems and used buying checks

A used Mazda 5 looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 29.5% of 16,762 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.

• 29.5% MOT failure rate
• Median tested mileage 100,467 miles
• 4,945 failed MOT tests analysed

Most useful finding

Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check

Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (58.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include corroded and seriously weakened, prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, and corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced.

Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:

• corroded and seriously weakened
• prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
• corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
• corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
• ball joint excessively worn
• across an axle
• ball joint has excessive play
• ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
• has a major leak of exhaust gases
• leaking excessively from engine

Before you view one

Focus on corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust

The model's recorded failure rate is 29.5%, +10.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.

• MOT tests analysed16,762 tests
• Median tested mileage100,467 miles
• Failed MOT tests4,945

Used buyer verdict

Should you buy a used Mazda 5?

70.5% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 29.5%, +10.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.

Worse than average in our MOT data

Green light if The car has a tidy MOT pattern, recent repairs for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, matching tyres, and paperwork for service or recall work.

Renegotiate if The latest MOT mentions corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust, consumables are due together, or the seller cannot show what was fixed after advisories.

Walk away if Dangerous defects, corrosion near structural areas, warning lights, or the same component family keep returning without clear repair evidence.

• Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust
• corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
• Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
• No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
• A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "corroded and seriously weakened"

What should I check first?

Start with corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.

• Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results

  Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (58.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.

  • Ask the seller: Has any sill, subframe, mounting-point, chassis, or structural corrosion advisory been repaired properly?
  • Example MOT wording: corroded and seriously weakened; prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results

  Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (43.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.

  • Ask the seller: Has any suspension, steering, ball-joint, spring, or wheel-bearing advisory been repaired?
  • Example MOT wording: ball joint excessively worn; across an axle; ball joint has excessive play
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results

  Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (25.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.

  • Ask the seller: Has the car had repeat emissions, smoke, exhaust, lambda, or engine-warning MOT failures?
  • Example MOT wording: has a major leak of exhaust gases; leaking excessively from engine; Fuel Pipe/s corroded
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results

  Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (21.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.

  • Ask the seller: Have any lighting, warning-light, horn, battery, or electrical MOT notes come back more than once?
  • Example MOT wording: has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced; inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources; slightly loose
  • Where it shows up: seen across most mileage ranges
• Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results

  Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (8.8 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.

  • Ask the seller: Have windscreen, wiper, washer, mirror, or demisting faults appeared in recent MOT history?
  • Example MOT wording: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view; provides insufficient washer liquid; of the road through the swept area of the windscreen significantly affected by an obstruction
• Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results

  Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).

  What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.

  • Ask the seller: Have uneven tyre wear, damaged tyres, wheel damage, or alignment issues been corrected?
  • Example MOT wording: Nail in tyre; effort inadequate at a wheel; primary retaining device excessively deteriorated

What changes with mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Mazda 5, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

Common MOT problem areas

16,762 MOT tests analysed for this model

11,735 Distinct vehicles represented

29.5% Recorded MOT test failure rate — +10.8 percentage points vs all models

Common faults: what usually fails on this model?

Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (58.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.

Corrosion and structure

• corroded and seriously weakened
• prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength

58.4 MOT notes per 100 tests

Suspension and steering

• ball joint excessively worn
• across an axle

43.7 MOT notes per 100 tests

Emissions, engine, and exhaust

• has a major leak of exhaust gases
• leaking excessively from engine

25.4 MOT notes per 100 tests

Lights and electrical

• has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
• inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources

21.2 MOT notes per 100 tests

Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors

• damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
• provides insufficient washer liquid

8.8 MOT notes per 100 tests

Tyres and wheels

• Nail in tyre
• effort inadequate at a wheel

2.0 MOT notes per 100 tests

Seatbelts and safety systems

• Standard fitment seat belt missing
• causes a seat belt component fitted to a seat to significantly intrude into a gangway and likely to injure a passenger

0.0 MOT notes per 100 tests

Recall-related areas to verify

Official recall areas

Manufacturer recall notices for the Mazda 5 mainly involve 2 areas: emissions, engine, and exhaust and corrosion and structure. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.

Emissions, engine, and exhaust

• Engine may stall
• Engine revs may increase inadvertently

4 recalls · 23,342 vehicles

Corrosion and structure

• Fire may occur

1 recall · 1,031 vehicles

Mileage and age checks

Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?

Past 100k miles on the Mazda 5, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and lights and electrical.

Mileage range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median mileage
0-50k	698	582	15.3%+4.5 percentage points vs all models	41,627 miles
50-100k	7,494	5,356	27.4%+6.7 percentage points vs all models	81,848 miles
100-150k	7,250	4,977	32.9%+6.7 percentage points vs all models	117,861 miles
150-200k	1,072	740	33.9%+6.6 percentage points vs all models	161,504 miles
200k+	112	81	29.5%+2.9 percentage points vs all models	214,564 miles

Problem areas by mileage

Past 100k miles on the Mazda 5, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.

Mileage range	Car areas most often recorded	Specific MOT defect examples
0-50k	Corrosion and structure (23.1 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (11.5 MOT notes per 100 tests) Lights and electrical (6.5 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
50-100k	Corrosion and structure (50.5 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (39.2 MOT notes per 100 tests) Emissions, engine, and exhaust (17.7 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
100-150k	Corrosion and structure (67.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (50.4 MOT notes per 100 tests) Emissions, engine, and exhaust (32.1 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
150-200k	Corrosion and structure (78.1 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (52.2 MOT notes per 100 tests) Emissions, engine, and exhaust (44.1 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.
200k+	Corrosion and structure (94.6 MOT notes per 100 tests) Suspension and steering (64.3 MOT notes per 100 tests) Emissions, engine, and exhaust (54.5 MOT notes per 100 tests)	No exact MOT wording is available for this mileage range.

Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?

The MOT failure rate rises from 21.7% at 6-10 years to 32.9% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 32.9% for 15+ years cars, based on 5,999 tests.

Age range	Tests	Vehicles	Failure rate (vs all models)	Median age
6-10 years 2016–2020 reg.	2,110	1,611	21.7%+5.0 percentage points vs all models	8.9 years
10-15 years 2011–2016 reg.	8,653	6,052	29.0%+5.5 percentage points vs all models	13.2 years
15+ years pre-2011 reg.	5,999	4,174	32.9%+7.0 percentage points vs all models	16.0 years

Recall records and data freshness

Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?

5 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.

2013-04-08	FIRE MAY OCCUR Water may enter the glow plug control module due to poor sealing of the waterproof connecter for the front harness. In some cases the glow plug control module could get corroded due to the water ingress and in the worst case there is a possibility that the glow plug control module could melt resulting in a vehicle fire. A Mazda dealer will inspect the glow plug control module and if necessary replace the glow plug control module. Also the installation location of the glow plug control module will be changed to prevent future water ingress.
2011-01-04	ENGINE MAY STALL It is possible that due to cleaning process of the fuel tank water may have built up between the fuel pump and wiring harness connectors which can cause corrosion of the connector pins. In the extreme cases corrosion could result in an inoperative fuel pump which could cause the engine to stall or the inability to start. Recall all affected vehicles and inspect the connectors for corrosion. If corrosion or damage is found a short section of the wiring harness and fuel pump top section will be replaced.
2009-02-09	ENGINE REVS MAY INCREASE INADVERTENTLY It is possible that white smoke can occur from the exhaust pipe and engine speed may increase whilst driving. Recall affected vehicles and replace Power Control Module.
2008-04-08	ENGINE MOUNTING MAY FAIL UNDER SUDDEN ACCELERATION It has been identified that the number 4 engine mounting bolt may not have been tightened to the correct torque during production. This could result in the engine mounting failing under sudden acceleration. Recalled vehicles will have the mounting bolt checked for compliance. Should the torque on the subject bolt be found to be outside of the specification.The appropriate action as described in the technical instruction will be applied as necessary.
2006-07-21	ENGINE MAY STALL. It is possible for the camshaft sensor plate mounting bolts to loosen. If the vehicle continues to be used in this condition the sensor plate and bolts may fall off resulting in an engine stall and inability to restart. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and tighten the sensor plate to the specified torque. Only replace parts if they are seen to be damaged.

Related searches

Common ways people look up the Mazda 5. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.

• Mazda 5 common problems
• Mazda 5 reliability
• Mazda 5 after 100k miles
• Mazda 5 after 200k miles
• Mazda 5 high mileage common problems
• Mazda 5 age related problems
• Mazda 5 MOT failures
• Mazda 5 recalls

Related reliability guides

Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.