The compact people carrier with sliding doors
The Mazda 5 was a compact people carrier that offered sliding rear doors and six or seven seats in a package smaller than a full-size MPV, produced from 2005 to 2015. It appealed to families who needed minivan flexibility but wanted something more manageable in tight city streets and car parks. It carved out a unique niche as the only compact MPV with sliding doors.
We track 5 known issues across the Mazda 5 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mazda 5? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
CW (2005–2010) — Petrol options included the 1.8 Petrol, 2.0 Petrol, with 2.0 Diesel on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity (£2,000–£5,000 to address).
CWA (2010–2018) — Petrol options included the 1.8 Petrol, 2.0 Petrol, with 2.0 Diesel, 1.6 Diesel on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion compromising vehicle rigidity (£2,000–£5,000 to address).
The Mazda 5 suffers from severe structural corrosion that compromises the rigidity of the vehicle assembly. MOT data shows this model fails at 17.1x the fleet average for structural corrosion, with failures occurring across all mileage bands from 40,000 miles upward. The corrosion typically affects sills, rear subframe mounting points, and suspension mounting areas. This is not surface rust but structural degradation that affects the car's crashworthiness and roadworthiness.
If structural corrosion is advanced, the vehicle is unsafe to drive and will fail its MOT. Repair typically involves cutting out corroded sections and welding in new metal, costing £2,000-£5,000 depending on the extent. Many cars are written off as uneconomical to repair when structural corrosion is discovered.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Mazda 5 has exceptionally high suspension component failure rates, with MOT data showing failures at 48.8x the fleet average. The issue affects control arms, wishbones, and their mounting points, which suffer from both mechanical wear and accelerated corrosion. The high failure rate appears from 20,000 miles onward, suggesting a design weakness in the suspension mounting system or inadequate corrosion protection.
Worn or corroded suspension components affect handling and braking performance, making the car unsafe to drive. If a component becomes detached, it can cause loss of control. Repair typically involves replacing control arms, bushes, and ball joints. The car should not be driven if suspension components are severely worn or damaged.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Petrol Mazda 5 models suffer from lambda sensor failures that cause the lambda coefficient to fall outside manufacturer limits, with MOT data showing failures at The issue typically manifests as rough idling, poor fuel economy, and MOT emissions test failures. The problem is exacerbated by poor servicing intervals and low-quality fuel, with failures becoming more common after 100,000 miles.
A failed lambda sensor will cause the car to fail its MOT emissions test and cannot be driven legally on UK roads without repair. The engine may run rich, causing increased fuel consumption and potential catalytic converter damage if left unrepaired. Typical repair involves replacing one or more oxygen sensors.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The petrol engines in the Mazda 5 develop exhaust manifold gasket failures and manifold cracks that create induction or exhaust leaks affecting emissions. MOT data shows failures at 11.9x the fleet average, typically occurring after 60,000 miles. The issue is caused by repeated heat cycling causing the manifold to crack or the gasket to fail, allowing unmetered air into the system.
Exhaust leaks will cause the car to fail its MOT emissions test. While not immediately dangerous, the leak allows unmetered air into the exhaust system, affecting engine performance and fuel economy. Repair typically involves replacing the exhaust manifold gasket or, in severe cases, the manifold itself.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The hydraulic power steering system on petrol Mazda 5 models develops leaks and malfunctions at 10.3x the fleet average failure rate. The issue typically involves power steering pump failure or high-pressure hose leaks, becoming more common after 100,000 miles. While not immediately dangerous, power steering failure makes the car difficult to manoeuvre at low speeds and during parking.
Complete power steering failure makes the car very difficult to steer, particularly at low speeds, though it remains driveable. The steering becomes heavy and requires significant physical effort. Repair typically involves replacing the power steering pump, high-pressure hose, or steering rack seals.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mazda 5 common problems page.
Based on 76k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mazda 5 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is brake fluid significantly below minimum mark at 54x the fleet average, followed by emissions failure (46x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mazda 5 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Mazda 5 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mazda 5 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. The 2012-2015 second-generation facelift models are the most reliable, with fewer mechanical issues and a more refined cabin. The 2012 model year in particular is rated highest by owners for its well-rounded package. Avoid 2006-2010 models due to transmission and engine fire risks — the 2009 is the worst year overall.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mazda 5, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mazda 5 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.