Used Mazda 5 review and buying guide (2005 to 2015): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Mazda 5 should you buy?

The 2010 to 2015 Mazda 5 is the one to aim for, ideally a TS2 on 16-inch wheels, which rides and handles noticeably better than the Sport on 18s. The catch is that only the Sport gets electric sliding rear doors, so decide whether powered doors matter more to you than a softer, tidier ride.

The 2005 to 2010 car carries more baggage. Abnormal tyre wear comes up again and again, put down to wheel alignment and mostly on cars running Dunlops on 17-inch wheels, and it came back on 2009 Sport models. Its 2.0 diesel also picked up three UK recalls on 2005 to 2007 cars, for stalling, engine mountings that could break under hard acceleration, and revs rising on their own.

Most of what's on record against the Mazda 5 concerns the diesels, the early 2.0 and the later 1.6 alike. That's a reason to be choosy about a diesel rather than proof a petrol's trouble-free: there's simply very little written about the petrols either way, so judge one on its own condition and paperwork.

Which Mazda 5 engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

No engine here has a clean, proven record, but the diesels are where the documented risk sits. The petrols have so little written about them that there's nothing to warn you off or to vouch for, so a petrol is the choice that avoids the diesel issues below rather than one with a track record of its own.

The first-generation 2.0 diesel can drink oil while it beds in, so the level needs checking often. Worse, if the 12,000 mile service isn't registered with the engine management, the DPF light comes on and the car keeps regenerating, putting diesel into the oil; one car's oil pump drive failed. A town-used Sport diesel needed regeneration after regeneration by 60k miles, and a 2007 2.0 diesel's engine was finished at 51k miles with leaking turbo seals and low compression on every cylinder.

The later 1.6 diesel has its own problem. Two reports, both on 2012 cars, describe the engine cutting out or losing power in fast traffic with the DSC/TCS warning lit. One had an injector replaced under warranty and the fault still came back; its owner was told it's the same injector trouble Ford, Citroen, Peugeot and Volvo models with this engine suffer.

What should you check when viewing a used Mazda 5?

Crouch down and look across both front tyres for uneven wear, especially on the inside edges, because that points to the alignment problem that dogs the earlier cars, particularly on 17-inch Dunlops. Mazda has sometimes paid for replacement tyres of a different type, so ask whether that's been done, and get the alignment checked if the wear's already showing.

On the test drive, listen for grinding from the front brakes: it can come from worn calliper pins or bolts rather than worn discs and pads. Make sure the ABS light goes out, since one 2008 Sport's ABS module failed at 50k miles. Check the handbrake holds and look for brake fluid round the rear wheels too; one 2011 1.6 diesel needed a front damper at 35k miles, then had a rear handbrake fail and fluid leak at the same wheel.

On any diesel, pull the dipstick, check the oil level and condition, and ask whether the DPF light has ever come on. The history should show each 12,000 mile service done by someone who reset the engine management. On a 1.6 diesel, watch for the DSC/TCS light and any cutting out at motorway speed, and ask for receipts for injector work.

Ask for proof the recalls were done: the stalling, engine mounting and power control module fixes on 2005 to 2007 diesels, and new tailgate struts on the 2010 to 2015 car, whose struts can corrode and let the tailgate drop. Lift the tailgate and make sure it stays up. Check the windscreen edges by the pillars as well, where stone chips can spread into cracks across the glass.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What do Mazda 5 owners like about them?

The sliding rear doors are what sells it. They don't swing out, so getting kids and shopping in and out in a narrow parking space or a tight driveway is easy, and there's no door to clip the car next to you when someone flings it open.

It's a proper family car that's still good to drive, so it doesn't feel like a penalty for choosing the practical option. The build quality's solid, and day to day it's as dependable as you'd hope from a Mazda, getting on with the job without fuss.

• The Mazda 5 achieved a five-star NCAP crash safety rating, indicating strong occupant protection.
• The sliding side doors are a practical feature, making the car excellent for use in tight parking spaces.
• This model is considered an ideal family car that also offers an enjoyable driving experience.
• The Mazda 5 exhibits the expected reliability and high build quality associated with the brand.