2005 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,521 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mazda 2, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.5% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (71.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.6% in the 150k+ group versus 16.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 1,414 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.0% | 937 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 827 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.9% | 501 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.7% | 487 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 408 |
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 | 719 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 681 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 537 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 500 |
| 5 | Wipers | 416 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 386 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 34.9% | 2,972 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.1% | 2,821 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.3% | 2,492 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 1,781 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.9% | 1,358 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 1,118 |
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 | 245 | 16.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,942 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,155 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 2,100 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 866 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 212 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,483 | 26.1% |
| Diesel | 1,038 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,294 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 2,009 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 1,667 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 1,417 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 1,134 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 2
Before buying a 2005 Mazda 2, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.7% 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 2005 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 8,521 2005 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mazda 2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.0%).
Does the 2005 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,521 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.