2011 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
70,137 MOT tests on the 2011 Mazda 2 are in this dataset, and 75.2% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 23.9%, so the 2011 2 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 15.4% of all tests — 6.2 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 6,227 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.9% versus 13.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.3pp more often than petrol ones (28.9% vs 24.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 27.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.4% | 10,815 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 6,463 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.0% | 4,218 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.8% | 3,393 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 3,372 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.7% | 2,603 |
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 | 6,227 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 3,962 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 3,071 |
| 4 | Wipers | 2,774 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,726 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,541 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.0% | 18,938 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.7% | 16,613 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.6% | 16,578 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.8% | 9,005 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 6,307 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.1% | 5,690 |
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 | 4,091 | 13.6% |
| 30-60k | 21,511 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 26,916 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 13,253 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,521 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 837 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 67,552 | 24.6% |
| Diesel | 2,585 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,328 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 14,327 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 14,162 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 13,909 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 13,411 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 2
On a 2011 2, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2011 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 70,137 2011 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mazda 2?
Suspension, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (9.2%).
Does the 2011 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 70,137 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.