Does the Mazda CX-5 fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Mazda CX-5 records 4.51 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.08 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+3.43, 95% interval +3.36 to +3.51). It ranks 87 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 CX-5 by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda CX-5 is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 8,184 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 8,184 | 2.74 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 3,870 | 1.30 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 931 | 0.31 |
| A steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | 407 | 0.14 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 298,443 (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 CX-5 gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
23.7% of Mazda CX-5 MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 7,118 miles later (1,481 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,481 (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 CX-5 2012 · Mazda CX-5 2013 · Mazda CX-5 2014 · Mazda CX-5 2015 · Mazda CX-5 2016 · Mazda CX-5 2017 · Mazda CX-5 2018 · Mazda CX-5 2019 · Mazda CX-5 2020 · Mazda CX-5 in Norway · Mazda CX-5 in Finland · Mazda CX-5 in the Netherlands · Mazda CX-5 by postcode area · Mazda CX-5 body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda CX-5 brakes failures · Mazda CX-5 vehicle identification failures · Mazda CX-5 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda CX-5 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Mazda CX-5 road wheels failures · Mazda CX-5 seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda CX-5 suspension failures · Mazda CX-5 tyres failures · Mazda CX-5 visibility failures