2003 Mazda 2 · 1,531 MOT tests
2003 Mazda 2 reliability
2003 Mazda 2s fail 41.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 19 2 years (1,531 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 2s: 30.8%)
- 41.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 2s: 30.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 84,063
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,531
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 4.8% of tests fail here (34% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 42% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Mazda 2
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.9%
- Brakes14.8%
- Suspension12.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.5%
- Tyres6.9%
- Body, chassis and structure4.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 6.99%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Position lamp not working 6.21%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 5.16%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Stop lamp not working 4.11%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.79%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.81%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (27.43%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.83%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (13.06%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (13.06%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.45%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.39%)
Other years
Every Mazda 2 year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Mazda 2 reliable?
2003 Mazda 2s fail 41.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 19 2 years (1,531 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Mazda 2 MOT?
Most often rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (6.99% of tests), position lamp not working (6.21% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (5.16% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Mazda 2 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Mazda 2 shows 84,063 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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