MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Mazda 5 fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

The Mazda 5 records 46.14 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 22.86 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+23.28, 95% interval +22.84 to +23.72). It ranks 12 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Mazda 5 by registration

What exactly fails on suspension?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda 5 is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 22,456 times in 2019–2024.

Mazda 5: most frequent suspension defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn22,45624.49
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage4,4984.91
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc4,1144.49
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened3,1953.48
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated2,8373.09

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 suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

32.0% of Mazda 5 MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 6,013 miles later (25,612 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 25,612 (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 steering failures · Mazda 5 tyres failures · Mazda 5 visibility failures