MAZDA 6 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 6,613 MOT tests from 545 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)

Check the reliability of your Mazda 6

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Diesel	2019	768/999Very good	77,921 miles	1,172 vehicles
Petrol	2019	845/999Excellent	75,178 miles	1,227 vehicles
Petrol	2018	752/999Very good	70,633 miles	1,143 vehicles
Diesel	2016	693/999Good	79,312 miles	2,183 vehicles
Diesel	2015	641/999Good	81,878 miles	4,403 vehicles
Petrol	2015	716/999Very good	92,430 miles	1,409 vehicles
Petrol	2014	680/999Good	102,715 miles	1,342 vehicles
Diesel	2013	616/999Good	81,528 miles	4,277 vehicles
Diesel	2011	496/999Average	80,995 miles	1,647 vehicles
Petrol	2011	501/999Above average	89,085 miles	1,097 vehicles
Petrol	2010	479/999Average	82,860 miles	1,488 vehicles
Petrol	2009	460/999Average	79,240 miles	2,061 vehicles
Diesel	2008	474/999Average	82,382 miles	1,478 vehicles
Diesel	2003	536/999Above average	84,097 miles	1,271 vehicles
Petrol	2003	462/999Average	85,328 miles	2,600 vehicles
Petrol	2002	471/999Average	83,876 miles	2,112 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA 6?

Based on 6,613 MOT tests from 545 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

545

MOT tests

6,613

Pass rate

80.2%

Median mileage

94,704 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 636 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 994 advisory comments and 62 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))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 365 advisory comments and 60 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 422 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))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 315 advisory comments and 18 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 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))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 94 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 73 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 70 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))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 44 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 an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

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
2020	10	51	82.4%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2019	28	159	88.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	31	205	90.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	45	389	83.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	73	669	85.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	72	770	82.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	56	683	80.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	39	521	80.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	32	472	79%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	22	378	72.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	38	662	78.5%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2009	26	466	77.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	12	225	77.3%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2007	13	274	78.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	8	149	76.5%	Brake pad wear, Corrosion
2005	9	192	77.6%	Corrosion, Tyre wear

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.
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.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
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.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

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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