2012 Mazda CX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Mazda CX-5 passed 78.3% of its 9,417 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 22.2%, so the 2012 CX-5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, steering and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.7%) and steering (8.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and tread depth — track rod end alone was recorded 935 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 0-30k band and 27.9% in the 150k+ band, a 21.2-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 21.7% of the time against 21.8% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.7% | 914 |
| 2 | Steering | 8.5% | 798 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 454 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 427 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 400 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 276 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 935 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 464 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 275 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 257 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 199 |
| 6 | Wipers | 197 |
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 | 25.3% | 2,381 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.7% | 2,323 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.6% | 2,219 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.2% | 962 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.1% | 857 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 449 |
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 | 75 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,002 | 12.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,505 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,418 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,147 | 24.7% |
| 150k+ | 269 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,679 | 21.7% |
| Petrol | 2,738 | 21.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,917 | 17.7% |
| 2022 | 1,964 | 20.8% |
| 2023 | 1,932 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 1,853 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 1,751 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 CX-5
On a 2012 CX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (9.7% 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.
- Steering (8.5% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (4.8% 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 2012 Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 9,417 2012 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Mazda CX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by steering (8.5%).
Does the 2012 CX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 27.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,417 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.