Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Mazda Cx 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 2012 Mazda Cx 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 2012 Mazda Cx 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 2012 Mazda Cx 5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

41% 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 2012 Mazda Cx 5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,741 vehicles, the 2012 Mazda Cx 5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 83.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2012 Mazda Cx 5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Mazda Cx 5 are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (52.3% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (47.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (47% 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 2012 Mazda Cx 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 Cx 5 (2012)

1,741 real MOT outcomes analysed • 83.4% first-time pass rate

2012 Mazda Cx 5

CarHunch analysed 1,741 real MOT records for the 2012 Mazda Cx 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 2012 Mazda CX-5 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 83.4%, which is a solid result—though the concerning figure here is that 40.9% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd expect for a mainstream family SUV. Petrol and diesel versions perform identically on pass rates (both 83.2–83.4%), so fuel choice won't sway reliability.

At 72,000 miles median, these cars have covered reasonable mileage for their age, and most failures are minor—the average vehicle clocks up 2.17 faults per MOT but 15.9 advisories, suggesting wear and tear rather than structural problems. Before buying, ask the seller for full MOT history and have any vehicle with a dangerous defect flag checked by a Mazda specialist, as that 40.9% figure warrants extra scrutiny on suspension, brakes, and safety systems.

The 2012 Mazda Cx 5 has a decent first-time pass rate (83.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ 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

83.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

40.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.17

Over 12.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

72k

Middle half: 60k–86k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.9 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 1,741 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,741 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 52.3%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

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

Tyre wear 47.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

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

Other issues 28.5%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Suspension & steering 19.8%

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play · …

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 2012.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,741 Mazda Cx 5 cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Mazda Cx 5

Based on MOT data from 1,741 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 40.9% 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
Diesel (75%)	1,298	83.5%	2.1
Petrol (25%)	443	83.2%	2.36

Colour Breakdown

Based on 60,399 Mazda Cx 5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Red 25.7%

15,512

Blue 21.6%

13,061

Grey 16.9%

10,219

White 14.1%

8,524

Black 13.3%

8,018

Silver 8.4%

5,053

Brown 0%

Maroon 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Mazda Cx 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.

72,033

typical

59,744

low mileage

86,418

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Mazda Cx 5 vehicles fall between 59,744 and 86,418 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 59,744 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.

✓ 59,744–86,418 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Mazda Cx 5s sit.

⚠ Over 116,664 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Mazda Cx 5 — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Mazda Cx 5s are still being driven.

1,253 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 76% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
* 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

12.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.17

Avg failures per vehicle

15.9

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Or browse all models: Mazda →

Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Mazda Cx 5 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing