2015 Mazda 2: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Mazda 2?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Mazda 2 than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Rigid brake pipes3.9× usual
  Mazda 2

  9.7% All 2015 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Seat belts4.6× usual
  Mazda 2

  4.1% All 2015 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.3% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

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

• Sub-frame2.1× usual
  Mazda 2

  3.4% All 2015 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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.

• Wipers1.7× usual
  Mazda 2

  4.3% All 2015 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.7% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Common 2015 Mazda 2 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Mazda 2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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
  24% 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.

• Suspension
  21% 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
  10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  6% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2015 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.

• 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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Mazda 2

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

1. Does it get regular motorway runs?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2015 Mazda 2 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2015 Mazda 2 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2015 Mazda 2 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?