Used car guide

2020 Mazda 6 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Mazda 6 first registered in 2020 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 2,650 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,650MOTs of 2020 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
91%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%)
6,800typical miles a year
21%had tyres flagged

Common 2020 Mazda 6 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Mazda 6 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

  • Brakes
    18% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% 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
    1% 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.

Known faults on the 2020 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.

  • Airbag inflator and boot strut recalls

    All engines

    Driver’s airbag inflators can rupture after long exposure to humidity and must be replaced, and boot struts were recalled in 2017.

    At the viewing: Ask a Mazda dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 6 (2013-2022) reliability

  • Warped brake discs

    All engines

    It can be hard on its brake discs, causing vibration under braking.

    At the viewing: Brake firmly from speed and feel for shaking.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 6 (2013-2022) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Mazda 6 petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda 6?

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 6 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022754Tyres 15%
20211,288Tyres 22%
201913,161Tyres 26%
20189,631Tyres 29%
201714,007Tyres 30%
201620,504Brakes 29%
201519,689Tyres 30%
201418,402Suspension 34%
201312,297Suspension 39%
20128,508Brakes 41%
201111,812Brakes 42%
201015,127Brakes 44%
200911,548Suspension 46%
200810,079Suspension 48%
20076,991Suspension 53%
20064,017Suspension 50%
20052,451Suspension 51%
20041,127Suspension 52%
2003577Suspension 55%
2002228Suspension 53%

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 6 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score