2021 Mazda 2 -L Mhev — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,399 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Mazda 2 -L Mhev, the most common recorded failure areas were visibility, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 95.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 2.9% | 40 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 31 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.1% | 29 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.9% | 27 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 3 |
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 | 34 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 30 |
| 3 | Wipers | 28 |
| 4 | Washers | 19 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 7 |
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 | 13.9% | 195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.9% | 153 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.3% | 60 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 35 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 13 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 3 |
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 | 1,080 | 3.4% |
| 30-60k | 294 | 9.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 685 | 4.2% |
| 2025 | 684 | 5.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 2 -L Mhev
Before buying a 2021 Mazda 2 -L Mhev, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Visibility accounted for 2.9% of tests for this year.
- Visibility (2.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 -L Mhevs pass their MOT?
95.1% of the 1,399 2021 Mazda 2 -L Mhev MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Mazda 2 -L Mhev?
Visibility, recorded in 2.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.2%).
Does the 2021 2 -L Mhev get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.4% in the 0-30k band to 9.9% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,399 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.