Used car guide

2016 Mazda CX-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Mazda CX-5s, from 7,017 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,017MOT tests in 2025

75%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)

8,500typical miles a year

3.7×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Mazda CX-5s than on all cars registered in 2016.

Track rod ends3.7× usual

Mazda CX-5
11.4% All 2016 cars
3.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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 joints1.7× usual

Mazda CX-5
10.5% All 2016 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 1.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.
Ball joint dust cover3.2× usual

Mazda CX-5
5.5% All 2016 cars
1.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.6% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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 pipes2.6× usual

Mazda CX-5
4.9% All 2016 cars
1.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.
Suspension arm5.1× usual

Mazda CX-5
3.6% All 2016 cars
0.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 0.5% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

32% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

27% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Tyres

25% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Lights and electrics

8% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

7% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Seats and seatbelts

4% of testsRough price £80–£250

At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Mazda CX-5?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2022	7,252	Tyres 18%
2021	5,478	Tyres 22%
2020	5,650	Tyres 25%
2019	10,124	Tyres 26%
2018	10,104	Tyres 26%
2017	7,290	Brakes 28%
2015	6,872	Suspension 38%
2014	6,553	Suspension 45%
2013	4,809	Suspension 51%
2012	1,319	Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Mazda CX-5s registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score