Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: which is the better used buy?
On DVSA MOT records the Toyota RAV4 does better at its MOT: measured against cars of the same age, it comes out 4.4 percentage points ahead of the Mazda CX-5 on first-time MOT passes. Its raw pass rate is the lower of the two (82.6% against 83.2%) because Toyota RAV4s on the road are older on average: cars of their age pass 77.7% of the time, against 82.7% for cars the age of the Mazda CX-5 fleet. That comparison covers 21,415 real tests across every generation on the road, not a survey. A pass with rectification at the station counts as a pass here, and as a failure in DVSA's own initial-test measure. The MOT checks safety and emissions items, not the engine, clutch or gearbox, so this is one measure of how each car holds up rather than a full reliability verdict; the common faults below cover the rest.
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 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 82.6% | 77.7% | +4.9 | 13,901 |
These figures count every generation still on the road, not only the one described below: mostly Mazda CX-5s registered 2013–2022 and Toyota RAV4s registered 2002–2022.
Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Class 4 tests in Great Britain, test type NT (a normal annual test), retests excluded. A pass, or a pass with rectification at the station, counts as a first-time pass; DVSA's own initial-test measure counts a rectified pass as a failure and so reports a lower figure. Testing in Northern Ireland is run separately by the DVA under its own rules. The difference is worked out before rounding, so it can be 0.1 away from the two rounded figures beside it.
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
Safety recall R/2019/187recall
Soot may accumulate around the intake shutter valve on the inlet side of the engine70,435 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 26 January 2012 and 30 June 2018Large recall — 70,435 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.Safety recall R/2021/435recall
Low pressure fuel pump impeller might become deformed26,974 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 3 April 2018 and 27 October 2018Large recall — 26,974 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.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 risk2017–2021 (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 replacementCheck: 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 cyclesAll 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 replacementCheck: 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 tampered with: under the DVSA MOT inspection manual (8.2.2.1) a missing or tampered-with DPF is a major defect, which fails the MOT, and GOV.UK says removing one is almost always illegal.
- Typical asking price:
- not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
- Fuel 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. A car registered from April 2017 with a list price over £40,000 when new adds the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 (£640 in all). Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
- Best years:
- 2022, 2023, 2024
- Years to avoid:
- 2018
Toyota RAV4
XA50, 2019–2024 (Hybrid) · mid-size hybrid family SUV
The XA50 Toyota RAV4 (2019–2024), sold in the UK only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, has a strong reliability record. Owners report occasional false pre-collision warnings and rear vent rattles on early cars, and some 2019 builds are covered by brake-booster and suspension-arm safety recalls. Best-buy years: 2021–2023. Worst: no single year stands out on DVSA MOT results.
What goes wrong
Safety recall R/2023/279recall
On affected vehicles there is a possibility that the DCM may not complete the shutdown process within a specific period of time when the ignition is turned off causing the DCM to not restart at the next ignition cycle and making the e-Call function unavailable.27,327 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 17 January 2023 and 18 July 2023Large recall — 27,327 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.Safety recall R/2021/315recall
The emergency calling system (ECALL) may not function when required26,575 vehicles in the whole recall (DVSA’s figure for every model it covers) · built between 14 July 2020 and 15 March 2021Large recall — 26,575 vehicles. Check a car by registration on GOV.UK.Pre-collision system false alerts / phantom brakingmoderate
Sudden brief braking on open motorway or dual carriageway with no obstacle; "Pre-Collision Alert" warning appearing on clear roads; forward collision warning sounding without cause2019–2020 (pre-software update) · Free under Toyota software update — dealer apply at next serviceCheck: Ask the dealer whether the pre-collision system software has been updated. A quick 15-minute motorway stint during the test drive is the most direct check.Hybrid battery — very long-term degradationminor
Slightly reduced mpg; less frequent EV-mode trips; battery gauge dropping faster in cold weatherAll hybrids; typically year 8–10+ in UK conditions · 125,000+ miles (UK used-car context: rarely seen this high yet) · £3,000–£6,500 for battery replacement if it is out of warrantyCheck: Toyota's hybrid battery is covered by its Service Activated Warranty (3 years or 60,000 miles as standard on cars sold new from 1 June 2021, extendable to 10 years or 100,000 miles; earlier cars were sold with 5 years or 100,000 miles), which is renewed by each qualifying service at an authorised Toyota dealer — it is conditional, not automatic. Ask for the service record, and ask a Toyota dealer whether a service would bring the car back into cover.
- Typical asking price:
- not given as a fixed figure — the model guide shows the median and middle 80% of asking prices for the cars advertised on Autoza that day, when at least 10 qualify
- Fuel economy:
- 48–50 mpg official WLTP combined for the 2.5 Hybrid (Toyota UK specification sheet).
- Vehicle tax:
- £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025 (2026/27 rates). A car registered from April 2017 that listed at over £40,000 new (options included) also pays the £440/year Expensive Car Supplement in years 2–6 — it is the price when new that counts, not what you pay for it used.
- Best years:
- 2021, 2022, 2023
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.
Toyota RAV4
Good for: Families wanting a reliable, low-running-cost SUV. Commuters doing mixed town/motorway miles who want the hybrid fuel savings without the hassle of plug-in charging. Buyers who prioritise long-term reliability over prestige badge.
Less good for: Buyers wanting a sporty drive — the RAV4 Hybrid prioritises economy over driver engagement. Off-road purists (the RAV4 has on-demand AWD via a rear electric motor, not a locking diff). Anyone wanting a third-row seat — the RAV4 is strictly 5-seat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more reliable, the Mazda CX-5 or the Toyota RAV4?
How do the MOT pass rates of the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4 compare?
Which years of the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 should I avoid?
Is the Mazda CX-5 or the Toyota RAV4 cheaper to run?
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: 2026-10-06 / 2026-10-06.