2021 Mazda 2 Auto — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,094 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Mazda 2 Auto, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres. Its pass rate of 96.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 26 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 25 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.0% | 22 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 11 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 2 | Wipers | 17 |
| 3 | Washers | 11 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 9 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 4 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 12.3% | 135 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.5% | 82 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.8% | 31 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 9 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 5 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 977 | 3.5% |
| 30-60k | 112 | 7.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 524 | 3.6% |
| 2025 | 552 | 4.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 2 Auto
Before buying a 2021 Mazda 2 Auto, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 2.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Mazda 2 Autos pass their MOT?
96.2% of the 1,094 2021 Mazda 2 Auto MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mazda 2 Auto?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.4% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2021 2 Auto get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.5% in the 0-30k band to 7.1% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,094 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.