2007 Mazda 5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,301 MOT tests, the 2007 Mazda 5 recorded a 66.2% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.0% of the time, so this is 4.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 21.9% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp and position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 1,390 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 35.9% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 32.5% of the time against 34.0% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 50.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.9% | 3,136 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 2,583 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 1,582 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 1,341 |
| 5 | Tyres | 9.0% | 1,289 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 1,272 |
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 | 1,390 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,130 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,104 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 1,084 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 983 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 866 |
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 | 50.7% | 7,257 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.2% | 4,750 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.1% | 4,025 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.0% | 3,867 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.3% | 2,623 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 2,047 |
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 | 335 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,589 | 31.1% |
| 90-120k | 5,998 | 34.0% |
| 120-150k | 3,979 | 35.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,377 | 35.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 12,159 | 34.0% |
| Diesel | 2,126 | 32.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,423 | 33.9% |
| 2022 | 3,544 | 33.5% |
| 2023 | 2,779 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 2,059 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 1,496 | 33.1% |
What to check before buying a 2007 5
On a 2007 5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (21.9% 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 (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.1% 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 2007 Mazda 5s pass their MOT?
66.2% of the 14,301 2007 Mazda 5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mazda 5?
Suspension, recorded in 21.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.1%).
Does the 2007 5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 30-60k band to 35.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,301 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.