Used car guide

2020 Mazda 2: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Mazda 2 first registered in 2020: we looked at the 12,245 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

12,245MOTs of 2020 cars, done in 2023–2025
91%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%)
5,000typical miles a year
17%had tyres flagged

Common 2020 Mazda 2 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Mazda 2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    17% 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
    11% 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
    5% 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
    3% 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
    2% 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 on the 2020 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 2020 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. 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023253Tyres 10%
20224,258Tyres 13%
20217,301Tyres 16%
201924,910Tyres 23%
201823,952Tyres 28%
201722,775Tyres 28%
201629,972Tyres 29%
201529,547Tyres 29%
201425,012Tyres 33%
201325,394Suspension 37%
201226,272Suspension 42%
201131,379Suspension 45%
201036,574Suspension 48%
200935,914Suspension 49%
200823,220Suspension 53%
20078,032Suspension 45%
20063,729Suspension 44%
20053,232Suspension 45%
20042,572Suspension 43%
20031,126Brakes 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Mazda 2 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score