2017 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 42,230 MOT tests, the 2017 Mazda 2 recorded a 90.5% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 13.4% of the time, so this is 3.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in visibility, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — visibility (3.7%) and brakes (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and tread depth — wipers alone was recorded 1,370 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 14.7% once past 150k — 2.3× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visibility | 3.7% | 1,555 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.0% | 1,266 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.0% | 1,250 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.9% | 1,231 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 946 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 229 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,370 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 892 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 754 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 720 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 697 |
| 6 | Washers | 571 |
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 | 22.4% | 9,452 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.4% | 6,498 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.1% | 2,151 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.8% | 2,005 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 1,554 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 375 |
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 | 18,302 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 18,635 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 4,458 | 14.8% |
| 90-120k | 706 | 19.0% |
| 120-150k | 92 | 15.2% |
| 150k+ | 34 | 14.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 42,011 | 9.5% |
| Diesel | 219 | 13.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,181 | 6.0% |
| 2022 | 8,431 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 8,476 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 8,440 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 8,702 | 12.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 2
On a 2017 2, visibility is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Visibility (3.7% 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.
- Brakes (3.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (3.0% 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.
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 2017 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 42,230 2017 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mazda 2?
Visibility, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by brakes (3.0%).
Does the 2017 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 14.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 42,230 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.