2016 Mazda CX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
40,861 MOT tests on the 2016 Mazda CX-5 are in this dataset, and 86.0% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 13.8%, so the 2016 CX-5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.4%) and brakes (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, coil spring and wipers — brake pads alone was recorded 1,434 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.5% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.5pp more often than petrol ones (14.3% vs 12.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 23.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 10.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.4% | 2,190 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 1,776 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.4% | 1,376 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,197 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 1,026 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 641 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 1,434 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,352 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,054 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 763 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 606 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 498 |
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 | 23.6% | 9,649 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.6% | 9,223 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 4,383 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.6% | 3,504 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 1,647 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.9% | 1,590 |
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 | 3,066 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 16,982 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 14,246 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 5,259 | 18.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,153 | 18.8% |
| 150k+ | 154 | 19.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 32,933 | 14.3% |
| Petrol | 7,928 | 12.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,895 | 10.2% |
| 2022 | 8,038 | 11.7% |
| 2023 | 8,184 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 8,297 | 15.4% |
| 2025 | 8,447 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 2016 CX-5
On a 2016 CX-5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (5.4% 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 (4.3% 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.
- Tyres (3.4% 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 2016 Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 40,861 2016 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mazda CX-5?
Suspension, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by brakes (4.3%).
Does the 2016 CX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 19.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 40,861 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.