Mazda 2 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mazda 2 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 127,364 UK MOT tests of the Mazda 2 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2010–2012 cars at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km), 16× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (10×); headlamp (a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output) (6.7×); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (6.5×). The most common reasons a Mazda 2 fails its MOT are ball joint (ball joint excessively worn); position lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mazda 2
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mazda 2 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | MOT fail | 2010–2012 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3.3% | 0.2% | 16× | 606 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3% | 0.3% | 10× | 3,871 |
| Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 8.7% | 1.3% | 6.7× | 2,909 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 13% | 2% | 6.5× | 807 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.8% | 1.1% | 4.4× | 7,814 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 6% | 1.6% | 3.8× | 9,658 |
| Wheels (condition): slightly distorted | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.8% | 1.1% | 5.3× | 347 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.8% | 1.9% | 3.1× | 7,752 |
Mazda 2 by mileage (2016–2018 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 4,831 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (11%) | Brake pads: wearing thin (6.4%, 3.2×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 11,384 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (3.5%, 8.8×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6,696 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (5%, 8.3×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 2,243 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (6.1%, 7.6×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 594 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (8.6%, 7.8×) |
Mazda 2 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 465 | Wheels (condition): slightly distorted at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.3×) |
| 2004 | 1,063 | Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3×) |
| 2005 | 1,281 | Coil spring: corroded at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.1×) |
| 2006 | 1,492 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.9×) |
| 2007 | 3,052 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (4×) |
| 2008 | 8,604 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4.6×) |
| 2009 | 12,978 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (6.7×) |
| 2010 | 12,865 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.9×) |
| 2011 | 10,837 | Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (16×) |
| 2012 | 8,974 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.5×) |
| 2013 | 8,623 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (6.4×) |
| 2014 | 8,487 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (6.5×) |
| 2015 | 9,964 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.5×) |
| 2016 | 10,129 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.1×) |
| 2017 | 7,684 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (8.8×) |
| 2018 | 8,115 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (10×) |
| 2019 | 8,449 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.8×) |
| 2020 | 4,166 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.9×) |
| 2021 | 132 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (3.5×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Mazda 2?
In 127,364 UK MOT tests of the Mazda 2 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak): recorded on 3.3% of tests of 2010–2012 cars at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km), 16× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material) (10×); headlamp (a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output) (6.7×); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (6.5×). The most common reasons a Mazda 2 fails its MOT are ball joint (ball joint excessively worn); position lamp (not working); coil spring (fractured or broken).
Why do Mazda 2s fail the MOT?
Across 127,364 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mazda 2 were ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (8.8% of tests); position lamp (not working) (10% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (5.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Mazda 2 problems start?
The clearest Mazda 2-specific issue, shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak), peaks against other cars at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) on 2010–2012 cars (3.3% of tests vs 0.2% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mazda 2 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 127,364 tests of the Mazda 2. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.