Does the Mazda 5 fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Mazda 5 records 2.28 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 3.96 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.68, 95% interval −1.81 to −1.55). It ranks 444 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Mazda 5 by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda 5 is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 711 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 711 | 0.78 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 544 | 0.59 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 408 | 0.44 |
| Power steering fluid level below minimum mark | 116 | 0.13 |
| Power steering fluid reservoir empty | 89 | 0.10 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 91,686 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Mazda 5 gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
7.0% of Mazda 5 MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 5,614 miles later (888 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 888 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mazda 5 2005 · Mazda 5 2006 · Mazda 5 2007 · Mazda 5 2008 · Mazda 5 2009 · Mazda 5 2010 · Mazda 5 2011 · Mazda 5 2012 · Mazda 5 2013 · Mazda 5 2014 · Mazda 5 2015 · Mazda 5 in Norway · Mazda 5 in Finland · Mazda 5 in the Netherlands · Mazda 5 by postcode area · Mazda 5 body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda 5 brakes failures · Mazda 5 vehicle identification failures · Mazda 5 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda 5 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda 5 road wheels failures · Mazda 5 seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda 5 suspension failures · Mazda 5 tyres failures · Mazda 5 visibility failures