2021 Mazda Cx-5 -L — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 901 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Mazda Cx-5 -L, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, tyres and brakes. Its pass rate of 91.7% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 4.4% | 40 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.7% | 24 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.4% | 22 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 15 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 48 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 21 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 7 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 32.6% | 294 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.6% | 168 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.4% | 67 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 35 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 14 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 2 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 451 | 4.9% |
| 30-60k | 422 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 458 | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 431 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Cx-5 -L
Before buying a 2021 Mazda Cx-5 -L, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 4.4% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (4.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (2.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Mazda Cx-5 -Ls pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 901 2021 Mazda Cx-5 -L MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mazda Cx-5 -L?
Visibility, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by tyres (2.7%).
Does the 2021 Cx-5 -L get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 901 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.