2005 Mazda 6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,689 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Mazda 6, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 66.9% was below the average for large family cars of a similar age (72.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.2% in the 150k+ group versus 12.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.2% | 1,402 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 1,342 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.9% | 1,071 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 624 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 434 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 391 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,549 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 702 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 506 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 479 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 453 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 449 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.9% | 2,987 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.6% | 2,355 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 2,180 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 1,399 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 1,240 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.1% | 1,236 |
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 | 78 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 716 | 24.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,218 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,511 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,543 | 39.0% |
| 150k+ | 621 | 37.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,427 | 33.1% |
| Diesel | 262 | 35.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,643 | 34.0% |
| 2022 | 1,887 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 1,411 | 33.5% |
| 2024 | 1,026 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 722 | 32.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 6
Before buying a 2005 Mazda 6, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 18.2% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (18.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.9% 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 6s pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 7,689 2005 Mazda 6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mazda 6?
Suspension, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.4%).
Does the 2005 6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 37.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,689 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.