Mazda 6 common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Mazda 6?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Diesel in the oil (particulate filter)

  Cars registered 2013–2022 · Diesel

  If the engine is switched off during particulate filter cleaning, fuel can get into the oil and raise the level, which can damage the engine.

  At the viewing: Check the oil isn’t above the max mark and ask what journeys it does.

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

• DPF clogging (2.0 diesel)

  Cars registered 2008–2012 · 2.0 diesel

  The 2.0 diesel has particular trouble with its diesel particulate filter clogging, even after long fast runs.

  At the viewing: Make sure no DPF or engine warning light shows, and ask what kind of driving it has done.

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

• Cam chain losing tension (2.2 diesel)

  Cars registered 2008–2012 · 2.2 diesel

  There are reports of the 2.2 diesel's cam chain losing tension, which can mean major engine work.

  At the viewing: Listen for a rattle from the engine, especially at start-up.

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

• Airbag inflator and boot strut recalls

  Cars registered 2013–2022 · 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

  Cars registered 2013–2022 · 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

• Piston clip recall (2.5 petrol)

  Cars registered in 2008 · 2.5 petrol

  161 cars built in January and February 2008 were recalled because piston pin clips might not have been fitted properly, which can cause engine failure.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

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

• Electrical faults and false blind-spot warnings

  Cars registered 2008–2012 · 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)

Common Mazda 6 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

• Suspension arm

  up to 6.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

  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.

• Sub-frame

  up to 4.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

  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.

• Rigid brake pipes

  up to 5.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

  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.

• Ball joint dust cover

  up to 5× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

  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.

• Headlights

  up to 2.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

• Braking performance

  up to 2.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

  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.

Diesel

• Suspension arm

  up to 7.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

  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.

• Sub-frame

  up to 5.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

  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.

• Ball joint dust cover

  up to 4.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

  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.

• Rigid brake pipes

  up to 4.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

  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.

• Braking performance

  up to 2.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

  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.

• Headlights

  up to 2.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

Mazda 6 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Mazda 6 did best (91% passed first time, 4 points above all 2021 cars) and the 2005 did worst (50%, 7 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mazda 6

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

1. Does it do regular motorway runs?
2. Has the DPF ever been cleaned or replaced?
3. Has the timing chain been checked or replaced?
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 6.7× as often on the Mazda 6 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the Mazda 6 as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Mazda 6 as on other cars the same age.)