Faults:

Not a single fault!

General Comments:

Big people carrier MPV from Mazda. Rare and underrated on our UK roads.

Easily better than other MPVs out there, this Mazda has been super reliable for me the last couple of years, despite being over a decade old and approaching 100K miles.

Not bad to drive for a family vehicle. 2.0 petrol engine is fast enough but only does 35 mpg. More reliable than the diesel unit in this car however.

Try one - much better than the typical French offerings from Renault and Citroën, I feel this Mazda 5 is very underrated.

Faults:

It has been totally blighted by SUSPENSION faults. It has been backwards and forwards, to my local dealer, whom are... you could pull your hair-out. Stressful really does not cut it. I have spent hours sat in their pretty dreary waiting room, with an equally horrible coffee machine.

It HAS recently repaired "FINALLY" (July 2008), this was only after losing my cool, and taking the challenge up with the dealership manager.

But then, they had been trying to repair it since NOVEMBER (that's 2007!)

But when you do lose your faith in something, you do also lose trust in a product, I do see it costing me BIG MONEY When the warranty does run out!!! unfortunately.

General Comments:

Now on a lighter note it really is a FAB car, I cannot REALLY say a bad word against it, maybe just a few criticisms.

I love the way it steers and handles, it and sticks to the road, but yet very light to steer, and with feed back. You do forget your driving a people carrier.

Totally love the sliding doors, WHAT a great idea to put them on a compact carrier, But why NOT have them all POWERED as standard - my children 9 yrs and 6 yrs can easily work them. But with no safety feature? - if fingers do get in the way, it is a little worrying.

The interior is also very clever, I can only surmise it was designed by PARENTS with children, the seats move effortlessly, the 6+7 seats fold with... well almost magically. But with those two rear most seats in place, either one of them or both simultaneously, it is REALLY REALLY tight with a buggy in there.

Faults:

Loud graunching noise from nearside front suspension when passing over speed bumps.

"warped" brake discs.

Loud rattle from dash-board.

General Comments:

We purchased this car new in September 2005. We chose this model over the Vauxhal Zafira, Ford C-max and Toyota Corolla Verso due to the sliding rear doors.

The sliding rear doors really are an excellent feature and are not available on any other mid size MPV. They are great in tight parking spaces, allowing easy access to the middle and rear seats.

The 1.8 Petrol engine has loosened up nicely after around 10K miles and provides all the performance we need in this type of car.

The car is generally well equipped, especially in terms of safety with airbags covering all 3 rows of seats.

The interior trim on the TS model is quite light and has not worn too well over, I guess the darker trim on the TS2 / sport would have been more family friendly.

The car has been into the dealers on 3 occasions, but has yet to be put right. Mazda UK just tell me to refer back to the dealer.

All in all a good car let down by issues with the brakes and suspension.