2015 Mazda CX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
41,609 MOT tests on the 2015 Mazda CX-5 are in this dataset, and 84.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (15.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.9%) and brakes (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, brake pads and track rod end — coil spring alone was recorded 1,546 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 21.9% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 14.6% of the time against 15.9% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.9% | 2,860 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.0% | 1,682 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 1,597 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.3% | 1,382 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 1,055 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 984 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,546 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,253 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,159 |
| 4 | Wipers | 886 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 882 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 837 |
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 | 23.1% | 9,592 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.7% | 9,431 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.8% | 5,759 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.7% | 3,606 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.1% | 2,548 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 1,728 |
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 | 1,436 | 10.2% |
| 30-60k | 12,548 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 17,032 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 8,268 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,993 | 20.8% |
| 150k+ | 329 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 35,563 | 15.9% |
| Petrol | 6,046 | 14.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,173 | 12.0% |
| 2022 | 8,282 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 8,433 | 16.0% |
| 2024 | 8,344 | 17.0% |
| 2025 | 8,377 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2015 CX-5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.9% 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.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.8% 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 2015 Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT?
84.3% of the 41,609 2015 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Mazda CX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by brakes (4.0%).
Does the 2015 CX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.2% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,609 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.