Mazda 5 (2005 – 2010) Review

Mazda 5 (2005 – 2010) At A Glance

4/5

+Sliding side doors, can carry seven people in comfort, well styled, rearmost seats fold flat into the floor, five-star crash test rating.

-Some problems with excessive tyre wear on Sport models, diesels can use a lot of oil while they're bedding in.

Insurance Groups are between 13–21
On average it achieves 85% of the official MPG figure

The Mazda5 is a people carrier that ticks nearly every box on the compact MPV wishlist and is still affordable and stylish. It's certainly one of the better looking MPVs around and far less boxy than many alternatives the same size. However, it's real selling point is the sliding rear side doors, making getting in and out - even in tight sports such as multi-storey car parks - easy and dent-free.

Mazda has created a 6+1 seating system and it’s the middle row which differentiates it from the others. There are two individual chairs that slide, recline and fold flat, while both have lift-up bases which conceal extra storage. To create the all important seventh seat, the left-hand chair also contains an extra flip-up cushion, while the central armrest doubles as the back support. It's clever stuff and it works well.

Build quality is good in the 5 and the interior feels strong and robust, evident in the folding seat mechanism. There's plenty of space inside and the third row offers considerably more space than most other people carriers this size with really impressive headroom. And it's equally as good on the move. The Mazda is based on the same platform as the Ford Focus and it shows – turn in is sharp and the handling is agile while body control is very good indeed.

It was facelifted in 2008 with a slightly different nose while all the engines were made more efficient while a revised version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine was launched. However, the best engine remains the 2.0-litre diesel with 143PS and a positive six-speed manual gearbox.

Mazda 5 2005 Diesel Road Test

Mazda 5 Facelift 2008 Road Test

Real MPG average for a Mazda 5 (2005 – 2010)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

85%

Real MPG

23–49 mpg

MPGs submitted

112

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

Problem with garage repair - what are my rights?

"Four months ago I couldn’t open the boot on my 2013 Mazda 5. My local garage stripped the inside of the boot and replaced the catch. They did a few other jobs and charged my £350 in total Since I washed my car with the garden hose the other day the boot won’t open. It looks like the same fault as before, what are my rights? "
Speak to the garage that did the work originally and see if they are forthcoming with an offer to inspect the car and fix the boot catch for free. Most businesses will, at the very least, offer to look at the car and identify what's gone wrong. If it's a problem with the part or repair then the garage should fix at no cost. If they refuse, say you want the car inspected by an independent garage. It's important that the garage that did the work agrees with a third-party business to look at the boot and provide a written report on what's failed. The garage may agree to cover the repair cost if the failure is due to a problem with the work they carried out in December. If that doesn't provide a satisfactory result, ask the garage if they are a member of a trade organisation or alternative dispute resolution scheme. Either of these will assist in solving a disagreement between a customer and a garage over a disputed repair. The small claims court should be your final option, but I'd be surprised if the garage would force you down this road over a £350 job.
Answered by Dan Powell

Mazda 5 ABS pump failure

"I own a 2008 Mazda 5. Last week a warning light came on. I took it for a service and have been advised that the ABS pump needs replacing. The part has been quoted at £1449 +VAT and labour. This is very disappointing as the car has only done 50k miles. I notice from various websites that the ABS pump problem is well-known and also the rust issue could be related to cars of this age coming from China. Please can you advise if I can challenge Mazda to pay for new ABS pump?"
The module doesn't need replacing. Only the brake pressure sensor within it does. Take the module off and send it to http://www.ecutesting.com who will recondition the module, fitting it with a modified brake pressure sensor, for about £400. Then, of course, it needs returning to you and re-fitting to the car.
Answered by Honest John

Family car buying advice

"I need to buy a used car for max £10K. I need to drive to work approx 35 miles /day and do some short trips during the week. Need to fit one small child car seat and occasionally a second child + plus shopping etc. For large loads we use the other vehicle, Fuel efficiency / emission are important to me. I live in the countryside so roads are skiddy in the winter and dark so something I feel safe in. I like a slightly higher riding position although that is not essential. Looking at a variety of models: Renault Scenic, Hyundai i20 or i30, Seat Leon, maybe a Ford but not sure which one. It seems I could also get a used Volvo V50 for that money (I like the styling) although that is not a high riding position. Any thoughts? "
Agreed about the styling of the V50. It's really a Focus underneath, which is a good thing. Current shape i30 and Kia Cee'd handle almost as well. The higher you sit, as a generality, the less well a car will handle. A Mazda 5 MPV or a Ford C-MAX are probably the best £10k high seat handlers.
Answered by Honest John

Buying a used Mazda 5 - which model is best for £6k?

"We have decided to buy a used Mazda 5 and you recommend the 1.6 diesel. Unfortunately our budget is £6000, which wouldn't get us that particular model. With our budget which of the other Mazda 5s are available?"
£6k only gets you the old model Mazda 5, which wasn't as good as the Mk II. You'd probaby be better off with an old shape C-Max.
Answered by Honest John
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