2007 Mazda 2: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Mazda 2 first registered in 2007: we looked at the 2,327 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Mazda 2?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Mazda 2 than on all cars registered in 2007.
- Rigid brake pipes2.2× usualMazda 224.8% All 2007 cars11.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
- Rust around suspension or steering mountings1.8× usualMazda 28.2% All 2007 cars4.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Corroded fuel pipes5× usualMazda 24% All 2007 cars0.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.3% here, against 10.9% of all 2007 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.1% here, against 7.3% of all 2007 cars.
Common 2007 Mazda 2 MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2007 Mazda 2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension47% 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.
- Brakes39% 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.
- Lights and electrics39% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres36% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors12% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Rust and bodywork12% 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.
Known faults on the 2007 Mazda 2
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.
- All engines
Rear wheel bearings and shock absorbers
Rear wheel bearings and shock absorbers can wear out early. Many bearings were replaced under warranty.
At the viewing: Listen for droning or grumbling from the back at speed, and for knocks over bumps.
- All engines
Windows that mist up
The windows mist up easily. Using the air con all year helps.
At the viewing: Check the demister and air con clear the screen quickly.
- All engines
Over-sensitive alarm
The alarm can go off by itself after the car is locked.
At the viewing: Lock it, wait, then walk close around it.
- Manual gearbox
Clicking clutch pedal
Many cars click when the clutch is pressed. It’s annoying rather than a fault.
At the viewing: Press the clutch a few times.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 Mazda 2
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2007 Mazda 2 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2007 Mazda 2 as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2007 Mazda 2 as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
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
Every year of the Mazda 2 compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 254 | Tyres 10% |
| 2022 | 4,071 | Tyres 13% |
| 2021 | 3,651 | Tyres 19% |
| 2020 | 4,116 | Tyres 23% |
| 2019 | 8,400 | Tyres 26% |
| 2018 | 8,077 | Tyres 30% |
| 2017 | 7,675 | Tyres 29% |
| 2016 | 10,073 | Tyres 29% |
| 2015 | 9,952 | Tyres 30% |
| 2014 | 8,341 | Suspension 36% |
| 2013 | 8,414 | Suspension 42% |
| 2012 | 8,650 | Suspension 45% |
| 2011 | 10,216 | Suspension 48% |
| 2010 | 11,541 | Suspension 51% |
| 2009 | 10,995 | Suspension 52% |
| 2008 | 6,902 | Suspension 56% |
| 2006 | 1,027 | Suspension 46% |
| 2005 | 880 | Suspension 47% |
| 2004 | 662 | Lights and electrics 45% |
| 2003 | 296 | Brakes 47% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda 2 cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score