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MAZDA 2 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,698 MOT tests from 436 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MAZDA 2 has the same fault.

MAZDA 2's have a very good reliability rating of 650/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MAZDA 2 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MAZDA 2.

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Check a Mazda 2 before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A878/999Excellent71,552 miles4,395 vehicles
N/AN/A780/999Very good71,468 miles4,922 vehicles
N/AN/A734/999Very good78,108 miles6,798 vehicles
N/AN/A693/999Good82,335 miles7,029 vehicles
N/AN/A590/999Above average114,166 miles5,938 vehicles
N/AN/A519/999Above average87,705 miles4,290 vehicles
N/AN/A507/999Above average104,364 miles987 vehicles
N/AN/A496/999Average86,633 miles4,179 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA 2?

Based on 5,698 MOT tests from 436 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

436

MOT tests

5,698

Pass rate

78.4%

Median mileage

72,896 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MAZDA 2 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 659 out of 999.

Common MAZDA 2 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 797 advisory comments and 45 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 682 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: FRONT SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 161 advisory comments and 105 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 175 advisory comments and 27 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 171 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 112 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 74 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 61 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

MAZDA 2 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
20237887.5%Tyre wear
2020933100%Tyre wear
2019159282.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20182416785.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20172823485%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20164545180%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20153638879.6%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20143037676.6%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20132635281.3%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20123958977.6%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20114471577.3%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20103461275.8%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20094483275.5%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20082551676.2%Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
20071018683.9%Coil spring issues, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used MAZDA 2

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Buying a MAZDA 2?

Common problems tell you what can affect MAZDA 2s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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