Mazda CX-5 vs Volkswagen Tiguan: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Volkswagen Tiguan is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 1.6 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 33,942 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
Volkswagen Tiguan	83.7%	81.6%	+2.1	26,428

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

Volkswagen Tiguan

Mk2, 2016–2023 (Allspace 2017+) · compact-to-mid family SUV (5 or 7 seat)

The Mk2 VW Tiguan (2016–2023) is the UK's best-selling premium SUV, but the DSG DQ200 dry-clutch gearbox on 1.4 TSI variants is the headline risk up to 75,000 miles, and EA288 diesel EGR recall must be verified. Post-2020 Allspace with DQ381 wet-clutch DSG is substantially more durable. Best-buy: 2020+ Allspace TDI. Worst: 2016–2018 1.4 TSI DSG.

What goes wrong

DSG DQ200 mechatronic failure (1.4 TSI)major
Hesitation pulling away; juddering in low gears; jerky 1-2 shift; "gearbox" warning
2016–2018 1.4 TSI with DQ200 · 70,000–85,000 miles · £1,500–£2,500 mechatronic; full DSG rebuild from £3,200
Check: Confirm gearbox type via VIN check before viewing: the wet-clutch DQ381 takes an oil-and-filter service every 40,000 miles, while VW schedules none for the dry-clutch DQ200. Uphill pull from standstill — any judder = warning. Diagnostic scan for P-codes in transmission module.
EGR cooler recall (EA288 2.0 TDI)major
Coolant loss; coolant system pressure drop; rare EGR cooler failure (fire risk recall)
2016–2018 2.0 TDI · Free under recall; £900–£1,400 if not yet completed and fault develops
Check: Verify recall completion via VIN at Volkswagen UK or the gov.uk recall checker (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall). Recall reference 23R6 / 23Y7. No recall history = ask dealer to complete before sale.
DPF blockage (2.0 TDI short-trip)major
Limp mode; "DPF full" warning; loss of power; failed regen cycle
All TDI Tiguans · Usage-pattern-driven, not mileage-driven · £350–£700 forced regen; £1,500–£2,800 DPF replacement
Check: Ask seller for typical journey length. Tiguans used exclusively for school-run trips are high risk. OBD scan: check DPF soot load percentage.
AdBlue NOx sensor failure (Euro 6 TDI)moderate
"AdBlue" system warning; countdown to no-start; reduced power
All Euro 6 TDI (2016+) · 50,000–75,000 miles · £350–£600 sensor; £100–£150 AdBlue refill
Check: Diagnostic scan for P20EE or P229F codes. AdBlue tank should be at least 25% full at viewing — a nearly empty tank tells you the seller wasn't maintaining it.

Typical asking price:: £11,000–£35,000 (2016–2023)
Real-world economy:: 2.0 TDI 150: 40–47 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI petrol: 31–38 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:: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2016, 2017, 2018

Full Tiguan fault guide Used Volkswagens

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.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Good for: UK families wanting a genuine 5-seat (or 7-seat Allspace) premium SUV with strong resale value. The 2020+ 2.0 TDI with DQ381 is the best rounded buy — low road tax, solid economy, durable gearbox.

Less good for: Buyers tempted by a pre-2019 1.4 TSI with DQ200 and high mileage without DSG service history — the repair risk is high. Short-trip city drivers considering the diesel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Mazda CX-5 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan. It passes its first MOT 1.6 percentage points more often than the Mazda CX-5 once both are age-adjusted, across 33,942 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?

83.7% of Volkswagen Tiguans pass their MOT first time, from 26,428 tests. Against the 81.6% that cars of its age average, it runs 2.1 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 Volkswagen Tiguan, Early Mk2 with the 1.4 TSI and DQ200 dry-clutch DSG followed the same failure pattern as the Passat B8: mechatronic failure around 70,000–85,000 miles at £1,500–£2,500. Several UK dealers refuse pre-2019 DQ200 Tiguans in part-exchange.

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 Volkswagen Tiguan returns 2.0 TDI 150: 40–47 mpg real-world. 1.5 TSI petrol: 31–38 mpg. 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).; Tiguan — £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.