Small car · 1999–2021 cars

Mazda 2 reliability

The Mazda 2 fails 30.8% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 408,561 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 40/100#23 of 63 small cars

Checking a Mazda 2 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 30.8%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 11% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 408,561; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,300; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Mazda 2 is a small car, first registered between 1999 and 2021. Across 408,561 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, the first-time fail rate was 30.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 11% more MOT fails, ranking 23 of 63 small car models. It's not a model to buy blind, but it can still be a good buy if you check the right things.

The best year is 2020, with 16% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. 2013 is the weakest, with 19% more. Steering is the weakest area, with 118% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Ask for the MOT history, then check the steering, suspension ball joint, position lamp, wiper blade and coil spring.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mazda 2 ages

Each point is the share of Mazda 2s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Mazda 2All cars

Mazda 2 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Mazda 2	All cars
3	8.5%	12.3%
4	11.3%	14.1%
5	14.2%	16.4%
6	17.2%	19.1%
7	19.6%	22.1%
8	23.5%	25.5%
9	29.9%	28.8%
10	34.5%	31.8%
11	36.8%	34.6%
12	40.8%	37.3%
13	43.4%	39.5%
14	45.6%	41.1%
15	46.9%	42.3%
16	45.2%	42.9%
17	42%	43.4%
18	44.5%	43.5%
19	43.7%	43.4%
20	41.4%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst Mazda 2 years

2020 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mazda 2 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 2	1,175	8.8%	13% fewer fails	18,322
2020 2	6,205	8.7%	16% fewer fails	19,687
2019 2	21,229	10%	13% fewer fails	22,292
2018 2	27,110	11.9%	9% fewer fails	26,674
2017 2	25,380	14.2%	9% fewer fails	33,555
2016 2	33,430	18.7%	1% more fails	41,754
2015 2	32,890	21.2%	1% fewer fails	47,936
2014 2	28,082	28%	16% more fails	51,496
2013 2	28,770	32.7%	19% more fails	59,188
2012 2	29,950	35%	17% more fails	62,464
2011 2	35,896	38.7%	17% more fails	69,380
2010 2	42,921	43%	17% more fails	79,044
2009 2	43,014	44.8%	15% more fails	84,756
2008 2	28,487	47.2%	15% more fails	90,781
2007 2	9,928	41.8%	4% more fails	82,881
2006 2	4,887	41%	3% more fails	76,269
2005 2	4,223	44.3%	9% more fails	79,807
2004 2	3,450	43.3%	6% more fails	82,493
2003 2	1,531	41.9%	2% more fails	84,063

Common problems

What fails most on a Mazda 2

Its weak spot is steering: 118% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension13%46% above avg
Lights and electrics10.7%0% below avg
Tyres6.4%9% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%33% above avg
Brakes4.9%21% below avg
Steering3.7%118% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2%28% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.6%48% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.2%51% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.88% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
2
Position lamp not working 3.29% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.19% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.19% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.63% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.88% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
7
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.83% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.73% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda 2's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit13.28%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.01%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy8.49%
Brake pads wearing thin5.48%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.84%
Sub-frame showing corrosion3.64%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mazda 2

1
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
4
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Mazda 2 covers about 6,300 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol97.1%
Diesel2.9%
LPG0%
Hybrid0%

Most common colours

Blue, Red, White, Grey, Silver

Average engine size: 1.4 litres.

Compare

How the Mazda 2 compares with its rivals

Mazda 2 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Hyundai i20	27%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Note	34.9%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda 2	30.8%	11% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Rio	30.9%	17% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 208	27.5%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 207	49%	31% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Dacia Sandero	30.8%	62% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Mazda models.

Questions

Mazda 2 questions, answered

Is the Mazda 2 reliable?

On MOT results, the Mazda 2 is below average: it fails 30.8% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 23 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Mazda 2 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mazda 2 are suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.88% of tests), position lamp not working (3.29% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.19% of tests). By area, suspension fails 13% of its tests.

Which Mazda 2 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Mazda 2 do a year?

A typical Mazda 2 covers about 6,300 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Mazda 2 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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