Mazda 6 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Mazda 6 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 67,358 UK MOT tests of the Mazda 6 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 6.3× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (7.5×); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength) (6.3×); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements) (5.1×). The most common reasons a Mazda 6 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); coil spring (fractured or broken).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Mazda 6
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mazda 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.8% | 0.6% | 6.3× | 4,430 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 6% | 0.8% | 7.5× | 785 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | MOT fail | 2003–2005 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 15% | 2.4% | 6.3× | 432 |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.1% | 0.8% | 5.1× | 691 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 12% | 2.6% | 4.6× | 1,392 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 8% | 2% | 4× | 1,968 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.4% | 2.1% | 4× | 406 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.3% | 1.4% | 3.1× | 2,344 |
Mazda 6 by mileage (2014–2016 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 1,521 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (17%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (5.4%, 4.9×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3,927 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (5.6%, 4.3×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5,269 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (6.4%, 4.3×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4,366 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (5.5%, 3.1×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 2,733 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material (4.4%, 2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 1,451 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn (3.5%, 2.2×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 624 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn (5.4%, 3.2×) |
Mazda 6 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 496 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (6.3×) |
| 2005 | 1,083 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.7×) |
| 2006 | 1,740 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (6×) |
| 2007 | 2,941 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (5.4×) |
| 2008 | 4,224 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (5.3×) |
| 2009 | 4,696 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.2×) |
| 2010 | 5,838 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.6×) |
| 2011 | 4,513 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (6×) |
| 2012 | 3,107 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (6.8×) |
| 2013 | 4,423 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (7.5×) |
| 2014 | 6,519 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4×) |
| 2015 | 6,838 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.9×) |
| 2016 | 7,002 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.9×) |
| 2017 | 4,752 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.3×) |
| 2018 | 3,269 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.4×) |
| 2019 | 4,465 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.3×) |
| 2020 | 1,055 | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.1×) |
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 6?
In 67,358 UK MOT tests of the Mazda 6 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km), 6.3× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (7.5×); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength) (6.3×); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements) (5.1×). The most common reasons a Mazda 6 fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); coil spring (fractured or broken).
Why do Mazda 6s fail the MOT?
Across 67,358 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mazda 6 were position lamp (not working) (9.1% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (3% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (3.5% of tests).
At what mileage do Mazda 6 problems start?
The clearest Mazda 6-specific issue, rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material), peaks against other cars at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) on 2016–2018 cars (3.8% of tests vs 0.6% for all cars that age).
Where does this Mazda 6 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 67,358 tests of the Mazda 6. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.