Used car guide

2006 Mazda 6: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Mazda 6s, from 972 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

972MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
5,300typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Mazda 6s than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings3.5× usual
    Mazda 6
    19.1% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 2.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Suspension arm3.7× usual
    Mazda 6
    14.1% All 2006 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Sub-frame2.4× usual
    Mazda 6
    16.8% All 2006 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Body structure rust or damage3.3× usual
    Mazda 6
    9.7% All 2006 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.8% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.7× usual
    Mazda 6
    8.7% All 2006 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3% here, against 13.7% of all 2006 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 6.9% here, against 14.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Mazda 6 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022716Tyres 16%
2021658Tyres 23%
20201,048Tyres 24%
20194,395Tyres 27%
20183,210Tyres 29%
20174,653Tyres 30%
20166,752Suspension 30%
20156,282Suspension 36%
20145,727Suspension 41%
20133,778Suspension 44%
20122,571Suspension 45%
20113,366Suspension 45%
20104,225Suspension 49%
20093,024Suspension 51%
20082,532Suspension 52%
20071,782Suspension 57%
2005566Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Mazda 6s registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score