Used car guide

2017 Mazda CX-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Mazda CX-5s, from 7,290 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,290MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
8,300typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Mazda CX-5s than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.8× usual
    Mazda CX-5
    5% All 2017 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2017 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.9× usual
    Mazda CX-5
    4% All 2017 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.5% of all 2017 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.

  • Suspension arm8.7× usual
    Mazda CX-5
    2.6% All 2017 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2017 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.

  • Track rod ends2× usual
    Mazda CX-5
    4% All 2017 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

By area

The share of 2017 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Suspension
    20% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    6% 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
    6% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20227,252Tyres 18%
20215,478Tyres 22%
20205,650Tyres 25%
201910,124Tyres 26%
201810,104Tyres 26%
20167,017Suspension 32%
20156,872Suspension 38%
20146,553Suspension 45%
20134,809Suspension 51%
20121,319Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Mazda CX-5s registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score