2021 Mazda CX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
11,884 MOT tests on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 are in this dataset, and 93.1% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), the 2021 CX-5 comes out 1.2pp better. Failures cluster in visibility, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.1%) and tyres (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 417 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.4% in the 0-30k band and 11.6% in the 90-120k band, a 6.3-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 6.4% of the time against 7.0% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 18.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.2% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.1% | 371 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.0% | 356 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.5% | 303 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 279 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 25 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 417 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 355 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 318 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 89 |
| 5 | Washers | 49 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 43 |
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 | 18.2% | 2,162 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.4% | 2,067 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.9% | 815 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 528 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 113 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 112 |
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 | 6,761 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 4,764 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 313 | 11.2% |
| 90-120k | 43 | 11.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,798 | 7.0% |
| Diesel | 1,084 | 6.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 191 | 4.2% |
| 2024 | 5,853 | 6.4% |
| 2025 | 5,832 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 CX-5
On a 2021 CX-5, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (3.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (3.0% 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.
- Brakes (2.5% 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 2021 Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT?
93.1% of the 11,884 2021 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mazda CX-5?
Visibility, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.0%).
Does the 2021 CX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 11.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,884 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.