2006 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,643 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Mazda 2, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 74.4% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (71.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.5% in the 150k+ group versus 12.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 1,310 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 1,088 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 870 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.1% | 587 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 548 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 402 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 705 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 543 |
| 3 | Wipers | 505 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 420 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 398 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 348 |
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 | 34.4% | 3,318 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.2% | 3,107 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.1% | 2,807 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 1,378 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.1% | 1,361 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.4% | 1,095 |
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 | 333 | 12.6% |
| 30-60k | 2,453 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 3,498 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,241 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 859 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 257 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 8,907 | 25.5% |
| Diesel | 736 | 27.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,600 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 2,261 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 1,910 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 1,576 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 1,296 | 26.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 2
Before buying a 2006 Mazda 2, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 (9.0% 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 2006 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
74.4% of the 9,643 2006 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mazda 2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2006 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.6% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,643 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.