2008 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Mazda 2 passed 71.4% of its 56,559 recorded MOT tests. Against superminis of a similar age (27.0% fail rate), the 2008 2 comes out 1.6pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and suspension (16.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 5,456 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.1% once past 150k — 3.5× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.4pp more often than petrol ones (31.8% vs 28.4%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 9,271 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.0% | 9,039 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.1% | 3,995 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.4% | 3,639 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 3,547 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.6% | 3,156 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 5,456 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 4,620 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4,370 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 3,850 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 3,535 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,654 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 30.1% | 17,009 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 16,678 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.5% | 16,097 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 12,132 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.5% | 9,327 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 5,364 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,053 | 9.7% |
| 30-60k | 7,557 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 19,121 | 27.4% |
| 90-120k | 18,529 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 7,781 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 2,506 | 34.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 52,657 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 3,902 | 31.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,869 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 12,296 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 11,623 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 10,552 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 9,219 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 2
On a 2008 2, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (7.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 56,559 2008 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Mazda 2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (16.0%).
Does the 2008 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 56,559 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.