At a Glance
The Mazda Mazda6 has 14 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 GG (2002-2008) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mazda Mazda6 common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mazda Mazda6 generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Most Common Mazda Mazda6 MOT Failures
Every reason Mazda Mazda6 vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 8.58% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 8.07% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.55% |
| 4 | Front lamp not working | 7.18% |
| 5 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.06% |
| 6 | Brake pads or linings worn | 6.10% |
| 7 | Tyre condition | 5.56% |
| 8 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.39% |
| 9 | Position lamp not working | 3.33% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.77% |
| 11 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 2.70% |
| 12 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.65% |
| 13 | Ball joint dust cover split | 2.50% |
| 14 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.07% |
| 15 | Stop lamp not working | 2.04% |
| 16 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.01% |
| 17 | Headlamp fault | 1.74% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.68% |
| 19 | Exhaust system fault | 1.67% |
| 20 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.56% |
| 21 | Front suspension fault | 1.10% |
| 22 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.04% |
| 23 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.03% |
| 24 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.00% |
| 25 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.96% |
| 26 | Airbag warning light on | 0.85% |
| 27 | Driveshaft fault | 0.80% |
| 28 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.77% |
| 29 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.73% |
| 30 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.71% |
| 31 | Chassis condition | 0.71% |
| 32 | Parking brake condition | 0.61% |
| 33 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.60% |
| 34 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.56% |
| 35 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.48% |
| 36 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.42% |
| 37 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.36% |
| 38 | Track rod end worn | 0.35% |
| 39 | Indicator fault | 0.30% |
| 40 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.28% |
| 41 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.28% |
| 42 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.27% |
| 43 | Brake caliper fault | 0.27% |
| 44 | Seat belt condition | 0.26% |
| 45 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.25% |
| 46 | Brake lever fault | 0.21% |
| 47 | Rear lamp not working | 0.20% |
| 48 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.18% |
| 49 | Steering rack fault | 0.18% |
| 50 | ABS fault | 0.18% |
| 51 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.18% |
| 52 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.16% |
| 53 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.15% |
| 54 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.14% |
| 55 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.13% |
| 56 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.12% |
| 57 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.11% |
| 58 | Fog lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 59 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 60 | Horn not working | 0.09% |
| 61 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.09% |
| 62 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 63 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.08% |
| 64 | Brake pedal fault | 0.07% |
| 65 | Rear suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.07% |
| 67 | Driver seat fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 70 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 71 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 72 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 73 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 76 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 77 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 78 | Electrical switch fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 81 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 82 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 83 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 85 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 86 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 87 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 88 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 89 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.01% |
| 90 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 91 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 92 | Steering free play excessive | 0.01% |
| 93 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 94 | Body security fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 96 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 97 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 98 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 101 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 107 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
| 111 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 113 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 114 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 115 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 120 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 124 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 125 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 127 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 130 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 131 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 132 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 134 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 140 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 142 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 143 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 156 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 167 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 169 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 175 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 179 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 181 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Steering linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 183 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mazda Mazda6 MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mazda Mazda6, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mazda Mazda6 problems?
Based on analysis of 1.4M Mazda Mazda6 MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 14 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Mazda Mazda6 generation has the most problems?
The Mazda Mazda6 Mk1 GG (2002-2008) (2002–2008) has the highest number of identified common problems (8). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mazda Mazda6?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mazda Mazda6 owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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