MAZDA 6 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,107 MOT tests from 253 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 6 has the same fault.

MAZDA 6's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 599/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MAZDA 6 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 6.

MAZDA 6 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	845/999Excellent	75,178 miles	1,227 vehicles
N/A	N/A	768/999Very good	77,921 miles	1,172 vehicles
N/A	N/A	752/999Very good	70,633 miles	1,143 vehicles
N/A	N/A	716/999Very good	92,430 miles	1,409 vehicles
N/A	N/A	693/999Good	79,312 miles	2,183 vehicles
N/A	N/A	680/999Good	102,715 miles	1,342 vehicles
N/A	N/A	641/999Good	81,878 miles	4,403 vehicles
N/A	N/A	616/999Good	81,528 miles	4,277 vehicles
N/A	N/A	536/999Above average	84,097 miles	1,271 vehicles
N/A	N/A	501/999Above average	89,085 miles	1,097 vehicles
N/A	N/A	496/999Average	80,995 miles	1,647 vehicles
N/A	N/A	479/999Average	82,860 miles	1,488 vehicles
N/A	N/A	474/999Average	82,382 miles	1,478 vehicles
N/A	N/A	471/999Average	83,876 miles	2,112 vehicles
N/A	N/A	462/999Average	85,328 miles	2,600 vehicles
N/A	N/A	460/999Average	79,240 miles	2,061 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA 6?

Based on 3,107 MOT tests from 253 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

253

MOT tests

3,107

Pass rate

79.7%

Median mileage

96,110 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MAZDA 6 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 624 out of 999.

Common MAZDA 6 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 478 advisory comments and 35 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 201 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: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 160 advisory comments and 35 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 156 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: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 52 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 parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 43 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 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 FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 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 lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 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 chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

MAZDA 6 MOT reliability by year

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

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2019	12	74	83.8%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2018	5	35	85.7%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2017	20	161	87.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2016	42	388	83.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	28	303	82.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	33	389	81.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	21	282	79.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	16	240	77.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	9	155	74.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	19	339	77.9%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2009	8	143	79%	Corrosion, Brake pad wear
2006	6	109	78.9%	Brake pad wear, Corrosion
2005	6	138	73.9%	Corrosion, Registration plate condition

What to check when buying a used MAZDA 6

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.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a MAZDA 6?

Common problems tell you what can affect MAZDA 6s 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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