MOT performance
Mazda CX-5 vs Skoda Karoq: MOT pass rates compared
In 2023–2024, 81.7% of 128,119 Mazda CX-5 MOT tests and 89.8% of 94,560 Skoda Karoq tests passed first time — 8.1 points in favour of the Skoda Karoq. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the Skoda Karoq fails less often than the Mazda CX-5: 0.72× against 0.86× the national rate for comparable cars.
128,119 Mazda CX-5 and 94,560 Skoda Karoq MOT tests, 2023–2024
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5: first-time pass rate | 81.7% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 128,119 |
| Skoda Karoq: first-time pass rate | 89.8% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 94,560 |
| Mazda CX-5: failures vs similar cars | -14% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Skoda Karoq: failures vs similar cars | -28% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Mazda CX-5: dangerous defect | 5.8% | n = 128,119 |
| Skoda Karoq: dangerous defect | 3.6% | n = 94,560 |
| Average age at test | 6 vs 3.6 years | Mazda CX-5 vs Skoda Karoq |
Why the raw pass rates can mislead
The Mazda CX-5 was tested at an older average age (6 years against 3.6), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.
Failure areas side by side
Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is steering, where the Mazda CX-5 fails 11.8 times as often on an adjusted basis.
| Area | Mazda CX-5 | Skoda Karoq |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 4.2% (-6%) | 1.5% (-43%) |
| Steering | 2.3% (+127%) | 0.1% (-81%) |
| Suspension | 5.0% (+6%) | 1.5% (+20%) |
| Tyres | 4.1% (-34%) | 4.4% (-13%) |
| Road wheels | 0.2% (-50%) | 0.1% (-38%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.2% (-50%) | 2.1% (-36%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.2% (-86%) | 0.1% (-72%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.2% (-12%) | 1.2% (-64%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.4% (-16%) | 0.4% (-49%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.2% (-54%) | 0.4% (+13%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.1% (-48%) | 0.1% (-59%) |
Pass rate at the same age
Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.
| Age at test | Mazda CX-5 | Skoda Karoq |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | 87.6% (n = 32,691) | 90.3% (n = 54,068) |
| 5-6 years | 85.0% (n = 32,077) | 88.7% (n = 20,886) |
Most common failure item
- Mazda CX-5 · brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (2.64% of tests)
- Skoda Karoq · condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (1.78% of tests)
MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.