Mazda 6: what fails at MOT
86,000 MOT tests on the Mazda 6 in 2024, counted. 29.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
29.5% of Mazda 6 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.3%, so the 6 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.1% of tests), suspension (7% of tests) and brakes (6.9% of tests). It fails on brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 838 | 7.6% | 10.9% | 23,000 16,400 to 32,000 |
| 2020 | 1,546 | 7.2% | 11.5% | 28,200 19,800 to 37,500 |
| 2019 | 6,296 | 12.2% | 13.4% | 38,800 27,800 to 54,300 |
| 2018 | 4,336 | 16.0% | 15.6% | 50,600 37,000 to 69,600 |
| 2017 | 6,454 | 17.6% | 18.2% | 63,700 47,000 to 84,900 |
| 2016 | 9,526 | 21.6% | 21.3% | 75,300 56,800 to 97,100 |
| 2015 | 9,461 | 23.8% | 24.4% | 85,400 66,100 to 107,500 |
| 2014 | 8,428 | 28.0% | 27.7% | 95,100 73,400 to 118,100 |
| 2013 | 5,848 | 28.4% | 30.6% | 100,500 77,800 to 124,200 |
| 2012 | 3,807 | 38.2% | 33.4% | 101,400 77,600 to 126,500 |
| 2011 | 5,285 | 40.7% | 36.1% | 112,100 89,200 to 139,700 |
| 2010 | 6,903 | 41.2% | 38.6% | 118,500 93,100 to 143,200 |
| 2009 | 5,327 | 41.8% | 39.8% | 120,400 94,900 to 149,300 |
| 2008 | 4,739 | 45.7% | 41.5% | 122,200 99,100 to 144,900 |
| 2007 | 3,266 | 47.2% | 41.5% | 108,400 83,100 to 131,000 |
| 2006 | 1,826 | 46.1% | 42.4% | 103,000 78,700 to 127,500 |
| 2005 | 1,201 | 52.8% | 42.2% | 99,000 76,000 to 122,100 |
| 2004 | 559 | 53.5% | 42.3% | 94,300 76,300 to 123,600 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mazda 6 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 6 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.1% | 7.8% |
| Suspension | 7.0% | 6.5% |
| Brakes More than most | 6.9% | 4.7% |
| Tyres | 4.2% | 4.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.9% | 3.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 1.3% | 2.4% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.7% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light3.1%
- Tyre2.8%
- Brake test2.4%
- Headlamp aim2.3%
- Brake pads2.2%
- Ball joint2.0%
- Footbrake1.8%
- Wipers1.6%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Headlamp1.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working3.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements2.0%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.4%
- Ball joint dust cover: no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%
- Footbrake: excessively binding1.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.6%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened5.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.1%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened4.4%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.9%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Mazda 6's own MOT record
Looking at a 6? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.