Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Mazda 5?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2008 Mazda 5?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2008 Mazda 5?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2008 Mazda 5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

58% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2008 Mazda 5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,937 vehicles, the 2008 Mazda 5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2008 Mazda 5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2008 Mazda 5 are: Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (64.6% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (63.7% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 Mazda 5?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Mazda 5 (2008)

4,937 real MOT outcomes analysed • 70.8% first-time pass rate

2008 Mazda 5

CarHunch analysed 4,937 real MOT records for the 2008 Mazda 5. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Mazda 5's 70.8% first-time pass rate sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%, signalling real reliability concerns for a vehicle now 16 years old. More worrying is that 57.7% of these cars have recorded at least one dangerous defect during their MOT history—well above typical—so any used example needs a thorough pre-purchase inspection and clean MOT history.

At 75,500 miles average, these Mazda 5s are running slightly higher mileage than typical for their age, yet they're averaging 5 failures and 30 advisories per test, pointing to widespread wear in suspension, brakes, and emissions systems rather than catastrophic faults. Before buying, insist on seeing full MOT records for the past three years to confirm the specific defects have been addressed, and budget for immediate work on any advisory items flagged in the test report.

The 2008 Mazda 5 has a below-average first-time pass rate (70.8% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

70.8%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

57.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

5.03

Over 16.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

70k

Middle half: 58k–84k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 30.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 4,937 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 4,937 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 64.6%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 63.7%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Other issues 51%

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · …

Suspension & steering 28%

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak · Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,937 Mazda 5 cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Mazda 5

Based on MOT data from 4,937 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 57.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (69%)	3,424	70.7%	5.21
Diesel (31%)	1,507	71.1%	4.61

Colour Breakdown

Based on 26,090 Mazda 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 25%

6,528

Silver 24%

6,257

Blue 23.2%

6,041

Black 14%

3,663

Red 8.3%

2,167

White 2.3%

598

Maroon 1.6%

429

Gold 1.1%

276

Purple 0.3%

Green 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Mazda 5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

70,257

typical

57,542

low mileage

83,940

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Mazda 5 vehicles fall between 57,542 and 83,940 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 57,542 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 57,542–83,940 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Mazda 5s sit.

⚠ Over 113,319 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Mazda 5 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 28% of 2008 Mazda 5s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 1,312 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (28% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

5.03

Avg failures per vehicle

30.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Mazda 5: All 5 years → Which year to buy? →

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See how the 2008 Mazda 5 stacks up against a rival.

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