Mazda CX-5 vs Skoda Karoq: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Skoda Karoq is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 2.9 percentage points more often than the Mazda CX-5 once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 13,696 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Mazda CX-5	83.2%	82.7%	+0.5	7,514
Skoda Karoq	91.3%	87.9%	+3.4	6,182

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Mazda CX-5

KF, 2017–2024 (2022 facelift) · mid-size family SUV

The KF Mazda CX-5 (2017–2024) is one of the more reliable mid-size SUVs sold in the UK, but the dominant 2.2 SkyActiv-D diesel suffers fuel-in-oil dilution and DPF blockage on short urban journeys. Pre-2022 cars also have headlight clouding and dated Mazda Connect infotainment. Best-buy years: 2022–2024 (facelift). Worst: 2018.

What goes wrong

Engine — 2.2 SkyActiv-D fuel-in-oil dilutionmajor
Engine oil level rising above max on dipstick; diesel smell on dipstick; reduced oil viscosity; in extreme cases runaway-engine risk
2017–2021 (pre-software update); risk persists on any 2.2D used mainly for short urban trips · £180–£280 oil + filter change at independent specialist; £700+ if injector seals also need replacement
Check: Dipstick at viewing — oil level should be at or below max, not above. Sniff the dipstick for diesel. Ask the seller for the typical journey length: a 2.2D used mostly for sub-9 miles commutes is a red flag regardless of mileage.
DPF — 2.2 SkyActiv-D diesel particulate filtermajor
Limp mode; "DPF full" warning; loss of power on hills; failed regeneration cycles
All 2.2 SkyActiv-D, mileage- and usage-dependent · Typical issue 55,000+ miles when used for short urban journeys · £600–£1,200 forced regen + cleaning; £1,800–£3,000 DPF replacement
Check: Ask the seller for proof of recent motorway driving. Run a 30-minute mixed-speed test drive with an OBD reader connected (£20 phone tool) — watch DPF soot load. Avoid any car where the DPF has been removed or "remapped" — that voids the MOT and is a criminal offence in the UK.
Injector seal leakage (2.2 SkyActiv-D)moderate
Black sooty gunge around top of engine; diesel smell from bonnet area; rough idle on cold start
2017–2024 2.2D, more common above 60,000 miles · £200–£400 per injector seal kit + labour; £800–£1,200 if all four
Check: Pop the bonnet at viewing. Look at the cylinder head around each injector for black carbon staining — clean engine bay is the goal. Stained injectors mean leak in progress.
Headlight clouding (LED / HID lenses)minor
Milky-white or yellowed headlight lenses reducing beam pattern; failed MOT on light output
Pre-2022 facelift, all trims · Cosmetic — age-related, typically year 4+ · £120–£200 per lamp polish/refurb; £450–£700 per genuine Mazda LED unit replacement
Check: Visual inspection in daylight — lens should be clear, not foggy. Failed MOT on this fault is a common reason owners sell. Ask for last MOT certificate.

Typical asking price:: £12,000–£33,000 (2018–2024)
Real-world economy:: 2.2 SkyActiv-D 42–47 mpg real-world; 2.0 SkyActiv-G 31–35 mpg; 2.5 SkyActiv-G 28–33 mpg
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2022, 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2018

Full CX-5 fault guide Used Mazdas

Skoda Karoq

NU7, 2017–2021 (pre-facelift) and 2022–2025 (facelift) · Compact family SUV on the VW Group MQB platform, sharing mechanicals with the Seat Ateca and underpinning the Volkswagen T-Roc. Karoq sits below the larger seven-seat Kodiaq in Skoda UK's SUV range. Front-wheel drive is the volume seller in the UK; 4x4 is limited to the higher-spec 2.0 TSI Sportline and some 2.0 TDI 150 trims.

A used Skoda Karoq (NU7, 2017–2025) is largely reliable, but the 1.5 TSI Evo engine caused widespread kangarooing on 2017–2018 cars, and the DQ200 dry-clutch DSG paired with it shows judder by 35,000–70,000 miles. Best-buy: 2022+ facelift 2.0 TDI manual. Worst: 2017–2018 1.5 TSI DSG.

What goes wrong

1.5 TSI Evo kangarooing and stalling (ACT)major
Hesitation pulling away from junctions; lurching or "kangarooing" at low engine speeds; occasional stall in first gear; rough idle when warm
2017–2019 1.5 TSI EA211 Evo with Active Cylinder Management · Skoda software update was free under warranty. Out of warranty: £120–£250 ECU reflash at an independent VW Group specialist. Some owners report running 99 RON petrol helps but does not fully cure pre-update cars.
Check: On the test drive, pull away firmly from a standing start uphill in first gear and watch for hesitation or jerk. Drive in stop-start traffic for 10 minutes if possible. Ask the seller for proof the Skoda software update was applied; the service-history stamp should reference the 1.5 TSI campaign. Avoid pre-2019 cars without that proof.
DQ200 dry-clutch DSG judder and mechatronic failuremajor
Juddering pulling away in first gear; clunky 1-2 shifts; delayed engagement after reverse to drive; "gearbox" warning light
2017–2021 1.5 TSI and 1.6 TDI with the 7-speed DQ200 · 35,000–70,000 miles is the most common failure window; symptoms can start as early as 20,000 miles · £1,200–£2,000 for a mechatronic rebuild at an UK DSG specialist. £2,500–£3,500 for a full DQ200 swap. Clutch pack alone £700–£1,100 if caught early.
Check: Confirm the gearbox first: VW schedules no oil service for the dry-clutch DQ200, so missing DSG fluid records are normal — a voluntary mechatronic oil change (specialists often suggest around 60,000 miles) is a plus, not a requirement. Pull away on a hill from standstill and watch for shudder. Slow creep in a car park reveals clunky low-speed shifts. OBD scan for any P-codes in module 02 (transmission). Confirm the gearbox is DQ200 (not DQ381) via the data sticker in the boot or a VIN decode before viewing.
2.0 TDI DPF blockage and forced regen (EA288)major
Limp mode; "Particulate Filter" warning; loss of power above 50 mph; engine fan running on after key-off; rising oil level due to fuel dilution from incomplete regens
All 2.0 TDI Karoqs (2017–2025); short-trip UK urban use is the dominant trigger · Usage-driven, not mileage-driven. Cars used mainly for school runs and short commutes are highest risk. · £350–£700 for a forced regen at a Skoda dealer or VW Group specialist. £1,500–£2,800 for a DPF replacement if the filter is blocked beyond cleaning.
Check: Ask the seller for typical daily journey length and frequency of motorway use. Cars used mainly in city centres without weekly A-road runs are at high risk. OBD scan: read the DPF soot load percentage and ash mass. Pull the dipstick and check oil level is at, not above, max. A high reading points to fuel dilution from interrupted regens.
AdBlue / SCR system fault on Euro 6 TDImoderate
"AdBlue" warning that does not clear after a refill; countdown to no-start; reduced power; rare NOx sensor failure with limp mode
All Euro 6 TDI Karoqs (2017+) · 45,000–75,000 miles on the rear NOx sensor; AdBlue injector crystallisation is usage-driven · £350–£600 for a NOx sensor replacement. £250–£450 for AdBlue injector cleaning or replacement. AdBlue refill itself is £25–£45 at most filling stations.
Check: OBD scan for P229F, P20EE and P204F codes. The AdBlue tank gauge should not be empty at viewing. A near-zero reading suggests the seller has been ignoring warnings. After any refill, the ignition needs to sit on (engine off) for around 30 seconds for the system to register. Ask the seller to demonstrate.

Typical asking price:: 2017–2018 1.0 TSI / 1.6 TDI manual: £7,000–£11,000 | 2019–2021 1.5 TSI / 2.0 TDI: £10,000–£17,000 | 2022+ facelift 2.0 TDI 150: £16,000–£24,000 | 2022+ 2.0 TSI Sportline 4x4: £24,000–£31,000
Real-world economy:: 1.0 TSI 115: 38–44 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI 150: 35–42 mpg. 2.0 TDI 150 manual: 44–51 mpg. 2.0 TSI 190 4x4: 28–33 mpg on UK mixed driving.
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Years to avoid:: 2017, 2018

Full Karoq fault guide Used Skodas

Which one suits you

Mazda CX-5

Good for: Family buyers wanting a premium-feeling Japanese SUV with strong long-term reliability, lower depreciation than German rivals, and a quiet refined cabin (especially post-2022 facelift). Best fit for drivers doing regular motorway miles.

Less good for: Short-trip city-only drivers buying the 2.2 SkyActiv-D — fuel-in-oil dilution and DPF clogging are use-pattern issues, not luck. Choose the 2.0 / 2.5 SkyActiv-G petrol or look elsewhere. Also not for buyers needing seven seats — CX-5 is strictly five-seat.

Skoda Karoq

Good for: UK families wanting a practical compact SUV with strong resale and a wide independent-specialist network thanks to MQB platform sharing. The 2022+ facelift 2.0 TDI 150 manual in SE or SE-L is the best-rounded pick for buyers covering more than 11,200 miles a year. Used Karoqs are well-supported in every UK region, and Skoda UK's fixed-price servicing programme keeps post-warranty costs predictable.

Less good for: Buyers tempted by a pre-2019 1.5 TSI without proof the software update was applied; the kangarooing issue is real and unfixed cars hesitate at junctions. Short-trip urban-only drivers eyeing the 2.0 TDI without weekly motorway use, because the DPF will block early. Buyers expecting a Kodiaq-size interior; the Karoq is closer to a Golf in footprint despite the tall stance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mazda CX-5 or the Skoda Karoq?

The Skoda Karoq. It passes its first MOT 2.9 percentage points more often than the Mazda CX-5 once both are age-adjusted, across 13,696 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda CX-5?

83.2% of Mazda CX-5s pass their MOT first time, from 7,514 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 82.7% — so it runs 0.5 points better than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Skoda Karoq?

91.3% of Skoda Karoqs pass their MOT first time, from 6,182 tests. Against the 87.9% that cars of its age average, it runs 3.4 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Mazda CX-5, 2018 examples — the first full UK model year for the KF — saw the highest count of engine-related owner complaints, including oil leaks, oil consumption, and earliest reports of fuel-in-oil dilution on the 2.2 SkyActiv-D. Pre-update Mazda Connect was already feeling dated. Auto Reliability Index scores 2018 KF at 71/100 versus 87/100 for the 2022 facelift. For the Skoda Karoq, 2017–2018 launch-year 1.5 TSI Karoqs with Active Cylinder Management (ACT) suffered from well-documented kangarooing and stalling at low engine speeds. UK owner forums and Briskoda owner threads logged hundreds of cases. Skoda issued software updates from 2019, but pre-update cars sometimes still hesitate at junctions. Pre-2019 1.6 TDI cars paired with the DQ200 dry-clutch DSG also have an elevated mechatronic-failure rate above 60,000 miles.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Mazda CX-5 returns 2.2 SkyActiv-D 42–47 mpg real-world; 2.0 SkyActiv-G 31–35 mpg; 2.5 SkyActiv-G 28–33 mpg in real UK driving; the Skoda Karoq returns 1.0 TSI 115: 38–44 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI 150: 35–42 mpg. 2.0 TDI 150 manual: 44–51 mpg. 2.0 TSI 190 4x4: 28–33 mpg on UK mixed driving.. Vehicle tax: CX-5 — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; Karoq — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.