2021 Mazda Cx-5 Gt Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,164 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Mazda Cx-5 Gt Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres. Its pass rate of 94.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 13.3% in the 60-90k group versus 4.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 41 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.1% | 36 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.0% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.6% | 19 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 2 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 2 | Wipers | 51 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 20 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 6 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.3% | 202 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.8% | 161 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.7% | 66 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.3% | 62 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 6 |
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 | 739 | 4.2% |
| 30-60k | 393 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 30 | 13.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 551 | 5.3% |
| 2025 | 585 | 6.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Cx-5 Gt Auto
Before buying a 2021 Mazda Cx-5 Gt Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 3.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (3.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.0% 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.
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 2021 Mazda Cx-5 Gt Autos pass their MOT?
94.2% of the 1,164 2021 Mazda Cx-5 Gt Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mazda Cx-5 Gt Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by visibility (3.1%).
Does the 2021 Cx-5 Gt Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.2% in the 0-30k band to 13.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,164 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.