2014 Mazda CX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2014 Mazda CX-5 passed 82.5% of its 41,330 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 18.0%, so the 2014 CX-5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, steering and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 8.1% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of steering, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and brake pads — track rod end alone was recorded 2,135 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 23.0% once past 150k — 2.3× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.6pp more often than petrol ones (17.8% vs 16.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 12.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.1% | 3,351 |
| 2 | Steering | 4.4% | 1,812 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.0% | 1,662 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.6% | 1,494 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 1,426 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,100 |
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 | 2,135 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,167 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 1,126 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 923 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 911 |
| 6 | Wipers | 867 |
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 | 24.1% | 9,971 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.1% | 9,529 |
| 3 | Suspension | 19.2% | 7,941 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.9% | 3,687 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.7% | 3,172 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 1,744 |
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 | 799 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 8,724 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 16,640 | 16.7% |
| 90-120k | 11,215 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,273 | 23.0% |
| 150k+ | 677 | 23.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 35,129 | 17.8% |
| Petrol | 6,201 | 16.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,109 | 12.5% |
| 2022 | 8,275 | 15.2% |
| 2023 | 8,401 | 17.8% |
| 2024 | 8,320 | 19.6% |
| 2025 | 8,225 | 22.4% |
What to check before buying a 2014 CX-5
On a 2014 CX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (8.1% 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 (4.4% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Brakes (4.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2014 Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 41,330 2014 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Mazda CX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by steering (4.4%).
Does the 2014 CX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,330 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.