2012 Mazda 5 · 2,610 MOT tests
2012 Mazda 5 reliability
2012 Mazda 5s fail 37.9% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 10 5 years (2,610 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 5s: 48.2%)
- 37.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 5s: 48.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 89,424
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 2,610
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- 2013 cars: 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 5.5% of tests fail here (61% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 34% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Mazda 5
Fail rate by area
- Suspension18%
- Lights and electrics11.6%
- Tyres9.8%
- Brakes7.2%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.5%
- Body, chassis and structure5.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.21%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Position lamp not working 4.21%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 3.64%
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.64%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.33%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 3.14%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (20.65%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (14.37%) · Brake pads wearing thin (12.99%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.46%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (9.04%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.32%)
Is a 2012 Mazda 5 reliable?
2012 Mazda 5s fail 37.9% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 10 5 years (2,610 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Mazda 5 MOT?
Most often suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.21% of tests), position lamp not working (4.21% of tests), anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn (3.64% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Mazda 5 have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Mazda 5 shows 89,424 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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