Used car guide

2023 Mazda 2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Mazda 2s, from 254 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 254 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

254MOT tests in 2025
90%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
6,500typical miles a year
10%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Mazda 2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    10% 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
    7% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • 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

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.

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)
    Diesel

    Diesels without regular motorway runs can block their particulate filter, which can damage the engine.

    At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for a DPF warning.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 2 (2015 on) reliability

  • Air con problems
    All engines

    Several air con problems have been reported, with waits for parts.

    At the viewing: Make sure it blows ice-cold, and switch quickly between hot and cold.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 2 (2015 on) reliability

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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,071Tyres 13%
20213,651Tyres 19%
20204,116Tyres 23%
20198,400Tyres 26%
20188,077Tyres 30%
20177,675Tyres 29%
201610,073Tyres 29%
20159,952Tyres 30%
20148,341Suspension 36%
20138,414Suspension 42%
20128,650Suspension 45%
201110,216Suspension 48%
201011,541Suspension 51%
200910,995Suspension 52%
20086,902Suspension 56%
20072,327Suspension 47%
20061,027Suspension 46%
2005880Suspension 47%
2004662Lights and electrics 45%
2003296Brakes 47%

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