2012 Mazda Cx 5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,348 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Mazda Cx 5, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, steering and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 78.3% was in line with the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (77.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.9% in the 150k+ group versus 6.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.7% | 908 |
| 2 | Steering | 8.5% | 792 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 451 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.5% | 423 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 397 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 275 |
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 | 927 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 463 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 273 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 254 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 198 |
| 6 | Wipers | 195 |
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% | 2,368 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.7% | 2,305 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.6% | 2,205 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.3% | 958 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.1% | 848 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 445 |
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 | 982 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 3,481 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,396 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,144 | 24.6% |
| 150k+ | 269 | 27.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,646 | 21.6% |
| Petrol | 2,702 | 21.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,906 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 1,953 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 1,919 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 1,834 | 22.9% |
| 2025 | 1,736 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Cx 5
Before buying a 2012 Mazda Cx 5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 9.7% of tests for this year.
- 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 9,348 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 9,348 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.