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Should I Buy a Used Mazda CX5? – Excellent choice

Mazda has released many front-running vehicles in terms of reliability and performance, and their sporty CX-5 remains one of the best small SUVs on the market. With 1.5 million cars sold in the United States and Canada since 2012, there’s a good chance you will come across a CX-5 or two while shopping for a used vehicle, but should you buy a used Mazda CX-5?

The Mazda CX-5 is highly rated in terms of reliability and safety. Its low maintenance and insurance costs make the CX-5 one of the best-used SUVs on the market. A CX-5 with a full-service record and below-average mileage makes an excellent used SUV choice.

Let’s dive deeper into the CX-5 and answer any questions you might have about this popular crossover vehicle.

Mazda CX5 in forest carpark

What Is a Mazda CX-5?

The CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV that Mazda started manufacturing in 2012. It’s #4 in the category of compact SUV according to J.D. Power. It was also the first vehicle to feature Mazda’s Skyactic technologies, which were designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

How Long Do Mazda CX-5 Last?

Mazda has earned a reputation for reliability over the years, so it’s no surprise that their CX-5 is one of the most reliable vehicles in its class. In fact, RepairPal has given the vehicle a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0; ranking it 1st out of 26 other vehicles in the midsize SUV class. 

Based on consumer feedback and other reviews, the CX-5 should last you between 200,000 and 250,000 miles, which is above average for an SUV. This gives it a shelf life of anywhere between 13 to 17 years of service if the vehicle is driven 15,000 miles a year.

How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a Mazda CX-5?

According to CAREDGE, it will cost owners on average $7,330 to maintain and repair a Mazda CX-5 during its first ten years of service, which is $1,541 less than the average SUV. During this time, there is a 21.93% chance of the vehicle needing a major repair. The chart below shows the average cost for each of the first ten years.

Year% Chance of Major RepairYearly Maintenance Cost
12.26%$253
23.75%$296
34.21%$364
47.43%$472
510.65%$563
611.98%$705
712.92%$993
816.70%$1,107
918.46%$1,214
1021.93%$1,372
 Source: CAREDGE

This gives the CX-5 an annual repair cost of $447.

What Are the CX-5’s Most Common Repair Problems?

The most common problem reported in the CX-5 is premature rear brake failure. Below you can find some other common problems owners have reported along with the price for each repair. Please remember that the actual price will depend on where you have the vehicle repaired.

Common RepairAverage Price
Daytime running LED light failure$1,100
Windshield cracks$700
Transmission trouble$4,800
Airbag control module replacement$679
Blower motor resistor replacement$88
Fuel pump replacement$1,212
Radiator fan assembly replacement$831
Source: CarComplaints

How Much Does It Cost to Insure a Mazda CX-5?

Although the actual cost of insurance will depend on factors such as your age, location, and driving history, the average cost for auto insurance for a Mazda CX-5 is $1,452. This content is owned by moc.sotuaytsur. The average owner can expect to pay $121 a month, which is $8 dollars less than the average vehicle.

Below you can find the average insurance cost for each year.

YearAverage Insurance CostCheapest Carrier
2020$1,455Allied: $756
2019$1,541Cincinnati: $1,050
2017$862Progressive: $394
2016$1,088Texas Farm Bureau: $713
2015$933Erie: $718
2014$955Texas Farm Bureau: $734
2013$935Erie: $725
Source: TheZebra

How Much Does a Used Mazda CX-5 Cost?

Many factors are considered in the price of a used vehicle such as age, mileage, condition, and location where it is being sold. However, below you can find the average price of a used Mazda CX-5 in good condition.

YearAverage Price
2020$25,190 – $37,155
2019$24,350 – $41,000
2018$24,150 – $30,945
2017$24,045 – $30,695
2016$21,795 – $29,870
2015$21,545 – $29,220
2014$21,395 – $29,070
2013$20,995 – $28,595
Source: iseecars

Are CX-5’s Safe Vehicles?

According to USnews, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the Mazda CX-5 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars. It received five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and 4 stars in the rollover test.

Some of the safety features included in the Mazda CX-5 include:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Forward automatic emergency braking
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers
  • Rearview camera
  • Rear cross traffic alert
  • Automatic high-beam headlights
  • Blind spot monitoring
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keep assist
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Forward collision warning
  • Adaptive headlights
  • Traffic sign recognition
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Driver attention monitoring
  • Heads-up display
  • Reverse automatic emergency braking
  • Surround-view parking camera system

It is important to note that not all the safety features will be available in every model year. Many of the older models do not have the newer safety features. However, the Mazda CX-5 has remained top in its class for safety and reliability throughout the years.

Mazda CX5 interior

What Should I Look for When Buying a Used Car?

Buying a used car can be a great way to get a vehicle with plenty of life left while saving up to 50% on the price. However, there are some things that you should always check before buying a used vehicle.

Vehicle History

If you’re buying from a private individual, ask questions about the history of the car. When buying from a dealer, they should be able to give you an accurate history of the vehicle if you ask. Either way, it’s always a good idea to check the vehicle history. An audit with a company like VinAudit (links to VinAudit) will guard against Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuilds, Title washing, Vin cloning, and a ton of other buying pitfalls.

Engine Check

Since the engine is what keeps the vehicle running, it’s always a good idea to make sure it’s in good condition. One of the ways you can check to see if the engine has been well-maintained is to check that the fluids are all full. Additionally, you should check for leaks, cracked hoses, and worn belts.

Mileage

On average, most cars are driven between 10,000 and 20,000 miles a year. By dividing the mileage by the age of the vehicle, you can figure out how many miles the car has been driven each year. The higher the miles, the more wear and tear the vehicle has endured.

Tires

Although most dealers will change the tires before re-selling a used car, checking the tires can be a great way to determine how the car was driven. Watch for uneven wear patterns which can indicate alignment problems.

Electric

Play with the buttons! There’s nothing worse than buying a car in the winter only to find out in the summer that the A/C will not turn on. Before buying a car, you should ensure all the lights are working, including flashers and emergency lights.

Inspection

You should always try to get an unbiased second opinion when buying a car. Dealers will often be as honest as possible because they don’t want to ruin their reputation. However, they’re still trying to sell the car and may not disclose, or even know, every little problem the vehicle has.

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