Large family car · 1997–2021 cars

Mazda 6 reliability

The Mazda 6 fails 30% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 220,526 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 54/100#17 of 29 large family cars

Checking a Mazda 6 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 30%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 4% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 220,526; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,900; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Mazda 6 can be a good buy if you check the right things. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 30%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 4% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 17 of 29 large family car models. The best year is 2020, with 39% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Be more careful with 2004, which has 20% more.

Brakes are the weak spot, with 37% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage. So look at the brakes closely on any Mazda 6 you view. Ask for the MOT history, then check the position lamp (4.03% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.69%), parking brake efficiency (2.54%) and wiper blades (2.23%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mazda 6 ages

Each point is the share of Mazda 6s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Mazda 6All cars

Mazda 6 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Mazda 6	All cars
3	9.2%	12.3%
4	13%	14.1%
5	16.5%	16.4%
6	19.1%	19.1%
7	21%	22.1%
8	24.5%	25.5%
9	27.3%	28.8%
10	31.6%	31.8%
11	35.9%	34.6%
12	38.6%	37.3%
13	40.7%	39.5%
14	43.6%	41.1%
15	44.9%	42.3%
16	47.6%	42.9%
17	48.8%	43.4%
18	48.9%	43.5%
19	51.9%	43.4%
20	51.2%	42.8%
21	51.8%	41.4%

By year

The best and worst Mazda 6 years

2020 cars come out best and 2004 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mazda 6 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2020 6	1,721	7.6%	39% fewer fails	27,421
2019 6	11,927	11%	22% fewer fails	34,460
2018 6	10,907	14.1%	12% fewer fails	42,267
2017 6	15,967	17.2%	11% fewer fails	55,123
2016 6	23,634	20.7%	9% fewer fails	67,057
2015 6	23,275	22.8%	14% fewer fails	78,950
2014 6	21,754	26.3%	12% fewer fails	88,667
2013 6	14,943	27.8%	15% fewer fails	94,810
2012 6	10,212	35.6%	2% more fails	95,877
2011 6	14,736	38.9%	2% more fails	107,870
2010 6	19,313	39.3%	3% fewer fails	114,422
2009 6	15,446	40%	5% fewer fails	116,846
2008 6	14,083	45.7%	5% more fails	119,405
2007 6	9,907	46.6%	8% more fails	105,345
2006 6	5,833	46.8%	8% more fails	102,477
2005 6	3,726	51.3%	19% more fails	98,745
2004 6	1,735	51.5%	20% more fails	95,670
2003	902	49.6%	16% more fails	95,962
2002	348	51.7%	23% more fails	94,324

Common problems

What fails most on a Mazda 6

Its weak spot is brakes: 37% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics10.8%16% below avg
Brakes10.3%37% above avg
Suspension10%5% below avg
Tyres6%15% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.3%12% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%13% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.1%46% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.2%8% above avg
Steering0.8%62% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 4.03% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.69% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.54% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.23% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.03% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.74% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
7
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 1.67% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
8
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 1.52% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda 6's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit15%
Brake disc pitted or scored10.91%
Brake pads wearing thin9.79%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.82%
Sub-frame showing corrosion5.63%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.45%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mazda 6

1
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.
2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
3
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
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 6 covers about 9,900 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

Diesel54.9%
Petrol45%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Blue, Red, Silver, Grey, Black

Average engine size: 2.1 litres.

Compare

How the Mazda 6 compares with its rivals

Mazda 6 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Skoda Superb	21.4%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Saab 9-3	37.3%	12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Avensis	33.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Accord	38.7%	8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda 6	30%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Tesla Model 3	14.7%	about average for its age
Vauxhall Vectra	45.9%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

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

Questions

Mazda 6 questions, answered

Is the Mazda 6 reliable?

On MOT results, the Mazda 6 is about average: it fails 30% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 17 of 29 large family car models in our index.

What fails most on a Mazda 6 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mazda 6 are position lamp not working (4.03% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.69% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (2.54% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 10.8% of its tests.

Which Mazda 6 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2004 cars do worst (20% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Mazda 6 do a year?

A typical Mazda 6 covers about 9,900 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 6 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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