2012 Mazda 5 (first used 2012) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 57.4% of Mazda 5s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 2,368 5 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda 5s first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Mazda 5 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 5s first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 5 figure was 6.1 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 5 | All cars first used 2012 | 5 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69.2% | 68.8% | 868 |
| 2022 | 64.3% | 67.4% | 856 |
| 2023 | 61.1% | 65.6% | 838 |
| 2024 | 60.9% | 64.3% | 786 |
| 2025 | 57.4% | 63.5% | 744 |
Common 2012 Mazda 5 MOT failures
Share of the 950 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 13.5% | 128 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | 12.4% | 118 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 11.1% | 105 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 10.7% | 102 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 9.1% | 86 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a 5 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 Mazda 5 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2012 Mazda 5 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 5s, as a share of all 2,368 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 22.6% | 534 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 15.1% | 357 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 13.6% | 323 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.0% | 284 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | 11.0% | 261 |
Questions about the 2012 Mazda 5 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Mazda 5?
In 2025, 57.4% of 5s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 5 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 47.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (30.6%) and tyres (24.6%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (13.5%).
How often does a 2012 Mazda 5 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 42.6% of first tests on 5s first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 36.0% failed, and a further 6.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 950 of 2,368 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Mazda 5 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 22.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (15.1%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (13.6%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.0%) and “Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play” (11.0%).
Is a 2012 Mazda 5 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 69.2% in 2021 to 57.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 5?
The numbers above cover every 5 first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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