2023 Mazda CX-5: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Mazda CX-5s, from 385 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 385 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2023 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres14% 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.
- Brakes8% 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.
- Lights and electrics4% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Seats and seatbelts2% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors1% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension1% 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
| 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% |
| 2016 | 7,017 | Suspension 32% |
| 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 2023 Mazda CX-5s registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score