2015 Mazda 5 — MOT failures & pass rate
4,357 MOT tests on the 2015 Mazda 5 are in this dataset, and 79.6% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (17.1% fail rate), the 2015 5 comes out 3.3pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (8.9%) and suspension (8.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, tread depth and wipers — pins and bushes alone was recorded 193 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 17.6% fail against 21.8% for diesel, a 4.2-point gap across 4,357 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.9% | 389 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.3% | 363 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 267 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.3% | 186 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 168 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 90 |
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 | 193 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 170 |
| 3 | Wipers | 153 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 153 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 124 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 124 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 30.5% | 1,330 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.6% | 1,203 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.8% | 1,079 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.5% | 501 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 199 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.7% | 163 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 218 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,577 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,685 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 661 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 174 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 42 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,969 | 21.8% |
| Petrol | 1,388 | 17.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 864 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 885 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 863 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 887 | 22.4% |
| 2025 | 858 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 2015 5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 8.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (8.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (8.3% 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 (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2015 Mazda 5s pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 4,357 2015 Mazda 5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Mazda 5?
Tyres, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by suspension (8.3%).
Does the 2015 5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,357 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.