Reliable family SUV with genuine driver appeal
The CX-5 is one of the UK's best-selling mid-size SUVs, competing directly with the Nissan Qashqai and VW Tiguan but offering superior reliability. The 2.0 SkyActiv-G petrol scored 98.4% in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey (6th of 76 family SUVs). Mk1 examples (2012-2017) start from £6k, while Mk2 models (2017+) range from £12-25k depending on age and spec.
We track 5 known issues across the Mazda CX-5 range, with 3 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mazda CX-5? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
KE (2012–2017) — Petrol options included the 2.0 Skyactiv-G, with 2.2 Skyactiv-D, 2.2 Skyactiv-D AWD on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is DPF blockage and excessive smoke emissions (£300–£2,000 to address).
KF (2017–2024) — Petrol options included the 2.0 Skyactiv-G, with 2.2 Skyactiv-D on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is DPF blockage and excessive smoke emissions (£300–£2,000 to address).
The 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D diesel particulate filter becomes blocked when the regeneration process fails to complete, typically in vehicles used primarily for short urban journeys. MOT data shows this model emits visible smoke at 40.6x the fleet average rate, with failures concentrated in the 60,000-150,000 mile range. The DPF warning light illuminates when soot loading reaches 85%, requiring immediate highway driving or forced regeneration. Complete blockage necessitates DPF replacement at significant cost.
A completely blocked DPF requires professional cleaning at £300-600 or replacement at £1,500-2,500 including labour. The car will enter limp mode with severely restricted performance if the blockage becomes critical. Continued driving with DPF warnings can damage the turbocharger due to excessive back-pressure.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
Lower control arm bushes and ball joints fail at unusually high rates across both petrol and diesel variants, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 25.9x the fleet average. The front suspension geometry places high loads on these components, particularly on diesel variants with their additional weight. Failures can occur as early as 20,000 miles, with the suspension becoming detached or fractured in severe cases. This is a safety-critical defect when components become loose.
Worn suspension components compromise vehicle stability and can lead to loss of control, particularly during emergency manoeuvres. A completely failed ball joint or control arm bush allows the wheel to move independently, making the car dangerous to drive. Repair involves replacing control arms or ball joints at £200-400 per side plus alignment.
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.
The electronic system that detects when the gear selector is in Park position fails, preventing the engine from shutting down completely when the ignition button is pressed. US NHTSA complaints document over 400 cases where the vehicle continues to run accessories, lights, and infotainment after the driver attempts to turn off the ignition. This causes battery drain and prevents proper vehicle shutdown. The fault affects the Park position switch or related control module.
Battery drain overnight leaves the vehicle unable to start. Repeated deep discharge shortens battery life significantly. The vehicle remains in an active state consuming power until the battery is completely flat. In some cases, the engine cannot be restarted without jump-starting or battery replacement.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
The rubber gaiters protecting the steering rack inner ball joints deteriorate at 10.2x the fleet average rate according to MOT data. These protective boots crack and split, allowing dirt and moisture to contaminate the steering rack mechanism. While not immediately dangerous, damaged gaiters lead to premature steering rack wear and eventual replacement. The high failure rate suggests the rubber compound or design is inadequate for UK conditions.
Damaged gaiters allow moisture and debris to enter the steering rack, leading to accelerated wear of internal components. Left unrepaired, this results in steering rack replacement costing £800-1,500. Early gaiter replacement at £100-200 prevents this expensive failure.
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.
The touchscreen infotainment display develops black areas, becomes unresponsive to touch, or fails completely. NHTSA data shows over 300 complaints focusing on screen malfunctions, with many owners reporting complete loss of audio, navigation, and vehicle settings. The fault typically develops gradually with increasing areas of dead pixels or touch zones before total failure. This affects climate control access on models where HVAC controls are integrated into the touchscreen.
Complete screen failure eliminates access to radio, navigation, phone connectivity, and vehicle settings. On models with integrated climate controls, heating and air conditioning adjustments become impossible. Replacement touchscreen units cost £500-1,200 plus programming and installation.
Check all interior functions: infotainment, heater controls, electric seats, dashboard displays and warning lights. Look for worn or damaged trim pieces. On cars with known interior electrical issues, a diagnostic scan is recommended.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mazda CX-5 common problems page.
Based on 289k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mazda CX-5 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 87x the fleet average, followed by suspension component fractured or (77x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mazda CX-5 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Mazda CX-5 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mazda CX-5 is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2019-2022 Mk2 models are the sweet spot — they benefit from the revised 2.5 SkyActiv-G engine, improved NVH, and mature infotainment. The 2.0 petrol is the most reliable engine across all years. Avoid high-mileage 2013-2014 Mk1 models due to transmission and interior issues. If buying Mk1, target 2015-2017 facelifts with the refined 2.2 SkyActiv-D diesel (if you do motorway miles) or the 2.0 petrol.
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 CX-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 CX-5 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.