Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota RAV4 is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 4.4 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 21,415 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
Toyota RAV4	82.6%	77.7%	+4.9	13,901

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

Toyota RAV4

XA50, 2019–2024 (Hybrid) · mid-size hybrid family SUV

The XA50 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2019–2024) is among the most reliable SUVs sold in the UK, with fewer fault reports than any German rival in the same class. The main issues are EGR soot accumulation on petrol-only (non-hybrid) variants, occasional false radar warnings from the pre-collision system, and rear-seat ventilation noise on pre-2021 examples. Hybrids require no plug-in charging and are ideal for UK commuting. Best-buy years: 2021–2023. Worst: 2019 (software gremlins, recalled).

What goes wrong

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 cause
2019–2020 (pre-software update) · Free under Toyota software update — dealer apply at next service
Check: Ask the dealer for confirmation that Toyota software update reference SB-0164B (or equivalent UK market version) has been applied. A quick 15-minute motorway stint during the test drive is the most direct check.
EGR soot and carbon buildup (2.5 petrol non-hybrid)moderate
Rough idle when cold; hesitation at low throttle; occasional check-engine light
2019–2024 (affects petrol-only variants more than hybrid — hybrids cycle the EGR differently) · Above 50,000 miles without regular servicing · £350–£600 EGR clean at a Toyota specialist; £800–£1,400 if EGR valve requires replacement
Check: Run the engine from cold — it should idle smoothly within 60 seconds. Hesitation or stumbling on cold mornings suggests EGR buildup. Service history should show 6,200 miles oil-change discipline. Avoid RAV4s with gaps in the Toyota stamp.
HVAC condensate accumulation (recall)minor
Water pooling in cabin; damp carpets in footwells unrelated to doors/windows; occasional musty smell after rain
2019 (recall issued) · Free under recall — Toyota UK dealer. Recall reference: EU recall ref 2019/433
Check: Verify recall completion via VIN at any Toyota UK dealer or the gov.uk recall checker (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall). If not completed, insist the dealer does it before sale.
Hybrid battery — very long-term degradationminor
Slightly reduced mpg; less frequent EV-mode trips; battery gauge dropping faster in cold weather
All 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; Toyota 10-year warranty on hybrid battery still covers most UK used examples (verify original purchase date)
Check: Check the Toyota hybrid battery warranty status — Toyota UK covers the HV battery for 10 years / 150,000 miles from first registration, whichever comes first. All RAV4 Hybrids first registered post-2019 should still be under warranty until at least 2029. Verify by VIN.

Typical asking price:: £15,000–£40,000 (2019–2024; PHEV variants at the top end)
Real-world economy:: 49–57 mpg real-world for Hybrid — best in class for a non-plug-in mid-size SUV in 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:: 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2019

Full RAV4 fault guide Used Toyotas

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?

The Toyota RAV4. It passes its first MOT 4.4 percentage points more often than the Mazda CX-5 once both are age-adjusted, across 21,415 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 Toyota RAV4?

82.6% of Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT first time, from 13,901 tests. Against the 77.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 4.9 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 Toyota RAV4, The 2019 launch year saw a Toyota recall (recall ref: 19V-752 in EU) for an HVAC condensate water accumulation issue that could trigger false airbag deployment warnings. Software for the pre-collision system was also immature — multiple UK owners reported phantom braking events on motorways. Both issues were corrected by 2021, but 2019 examples should have evidence of both recall completions.

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 Toyota RAV4 returns 49–57 mpg real-world for Hybrid — best in class for a non-plug-in mid-size SUV in 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).; RAV4 — £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.