Used car guide

2003 Mazda 2 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Mazda 2 first registered in 2003 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 155 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 155 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

155MOTs of 2003 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
62%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 57%)
5,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Mazda 2 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Mazda 2 diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Mazda 2
    24.5% All 2003 cars
    11.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2003 Mazda 2 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Mazda 2 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    45% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    32% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    22% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Mazda 2 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2003 Mazda 2 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda 2?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Mazda 2 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023253Tyres 10%
20224,258Tyres 13%
20217,301Tyres 16%
202012,245Tyres 17%
201924,910Tyres 23%
201823,952Tyres 28%
201722,775Tyres 28%
201629,972Tyres 29%
201529,547Tyres 29%
201425,012Tyres 33%
201325,394Suspension 37%
201226,272Suspension 42%
201131,379Suspension 45%
201036,574Suspension 48%
200935,914Suspension 49%
200823,220Suspension 53%
20078,032Suspension 45%
20063,729Suspension 44%
20053,232Suspension 45%
20042,572Suspension 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda 2 cars first registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score