Used car guide · 2006–2009

Mazda BT-50 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mazda BT-50, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,451 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

2,451MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
2007best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2009200820072006

What usually goes wrong with a Mazda BT-50?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Mazda BT-50 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Mazda BT-50 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Steering box

    up to 75× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 6.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

Mazda BT-50 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2007 Mazda BT-50 did best (62% passed first time, 5 points above all 2007 cars) and the 2008 did worst (58%, 1 point above all 2008 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200962%59% +3901
200858%57% +1711
200762%57% +5639
200652%56% -4200 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mazda BT-50

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

  1. Any recent work on the steering box? (Flagged at MOT 75× as often on the Mazda BT-50 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 8× as often on the Mazda BT-50 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 6.6× as often on the Mazda BT-50 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda BT-50?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score