Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 311 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,086
£174/month
MOT Pass Rate
96%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 18-32
1998cc Petrol
Great Choice
96% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 14 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).
Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Mazda brand average of 81%.
96% of MOT tests on Mazda CX-5 SE-L Autos from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 311 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 23,799 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
23,799
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto had 23,799 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.
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Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto is a family car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 311 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 18% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 23,799 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto owners drive about as much as the UK average.
2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto Fuel Costs
The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto
At 5 years old, the Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
Common Issues to Watch For
These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Est. Ins. Group | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto(2021) | 96% | £1,631 | £200 | Grp 18-32 | £2,086 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| MINI Cooper(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
| Hyundai Tucson(2019) | 90% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853-£233 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Questions about the 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto
Is the 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Autos ended in a pass, from 311 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto cost to run?
Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.
What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto?
96% of 311 MOT tests on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 570th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 18%).
What is the average mileage for a 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Mazda CX-5 SE-L Auto is 23,799 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.
Related Mazda Models
Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.
Mazda 2
2010 · 1349cc Petrol
Mazda 3
2015 · 1998cc Petrol
Mazda CX-5
2019 · 2000cc Petrol
Volkswagen Golf
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
Nissan Qashqai
2020 · 1598cc Petrol
MINI Cooper
2019 · 1499cc Petrol
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