2012 Mazda 6 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Mazda 6 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Mazda 6 petrol than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm6.3× usual
  Mazda 6

  12% All 2012 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Ball joint dust cover5× usual
  Mazda 6

  12% All 2012 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame3.5× usual
  Mazda 6

  12.1% All 2012 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Braking performance2.1× usual
  Mazda 6

  10.3% All 2012 cars

  4.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Rigid brake pipes2× usual
  Mazda 6

  10.2% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2012 Mazda 6 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Mazda 6 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  39% 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.

• Suspension
  38% 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
  28% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Rust and bodywork
  5% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Known faults on the 2012 Mazda 6 petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Electrical faults and false blind-spot warnings

  All engines

  Electrical problems are reported, and the blind-spot lights on higher-spec cars can come on with nothing there.

  At the viewing: Test all the electrics and watch the mirror warning lights on the test drive.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Mazda6 buying guide (2008-2012)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Mazda 6 petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 6.3× as often on the 2012 Mazda 6 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2012 Mazda 6 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2012 Mazda 6 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?