Used car guide

2021 Mazda CX-5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Mazda CX-5s, from 5,478 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,478MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Mazda CX-5s than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Mazda CX-5
    13.6% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

The share of 2021 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    22% 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.

  • Brakes
    21% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20227,252Tyres 18%
20205,650Tyres 25%
201910,124Tyres 26%
201810,104Tyres 26%
20177,290Brakes 28%
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 2021 Mazda CX-5s registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score