2005 Mazda 5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Mazda 5 passed 65.1% of its 1,784 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), the 2005 5 comes out 4.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (21.8%) and lighting & signalling (20.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, catalyst emissions and headlamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 189 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.4% in the 30-60k band and 38.5% in the 150k+ band, a 18.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 47.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 37.5% in 2021 to 32.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.8% | 388 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 361 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 233 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 215 |
| 5 | Tyres | 9.4% | 167 |
| 6 | Brakes | 8.3% | 149 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 189 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 187 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 171 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 163 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 136 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 130 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 47.6% | 849 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.3% | 576 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.1% | 537 |
| 4 | Brakes | 27.7% | 494 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.2% | 325 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 318 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 49 | 20.4% |
| 60-90k | 354 | 34.2% |
| 90-120k | 725 | 34.2% |
| 120-150k | 507 | 36.7% |
| 150k+ | 148 | 38.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 642 | 37.5% |
| 2022 | 438 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 312 | 33.0% |
| 2024 | 231 | 36.8% |
| 2025 | 161 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 5
On a 2005 5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (21.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (20.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Mazda 5s pass their MOT?
65.1% of the 1,784 2005 Mazda 5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 34.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mazda 5?
Suspension, recorded in 21.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (20.2%).
Does the 2005 5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 30-60k band to 38.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,784 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.