2023 Mazda CX-5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 passed 95.0% of its 403 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 5.6%, so the 2023 CX-5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.5%) and tyres (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, brake pads and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 20 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 9.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 14 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.5% | 10 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.2% | 5 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.3% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 5 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1 |
| 5 | Electronic stability control | 1 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 1 |
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 | 9.9% | 40 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.4% | 30 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.5% | 14 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 222 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 176 | 8.0% |
What to check before buying a 2023 CX-5
On a 2023 CX-5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.5% 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 (1.2% 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 2023 Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT?
95.0% of the 403 2023 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Mazda CX-5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by tyres (2.5%).
Does the 2023 CX-5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 8.0% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 403 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.