2019 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2019 Mazda 2 passed 93.8% of its 35,817 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.8 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 10.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.9%) and visibility (2.8%) 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 headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 921 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.8% in the 0-30k band and 16.7% in the 90-120k band, a 11.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.9% | 1,022 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 997 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.1% | 760 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 736 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 143 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.1% | 44 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 921 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 704 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 549 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 483 |
| 5 | Washers | 295 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 152 |
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 | 18.3% | 6,548 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.8% | 4,225 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.1% | 1,482 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,033 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 336 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 127 |
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 | 24,807 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 9,868 | 9.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,017 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 102 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 311 | 5.8% |
| 2022 | 8,879 | 3.9% |
| 2023 | 8,859 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 8,797 | 7.4% |
| 2025 | 8,971 | 8.1% |
What to check before buying a 2019 2
On a 2019 2, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.9% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% 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 (2.1% 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.
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 2019 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
93.8% of the 35,817 2019 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Mazda 2?
Tyres, recorded in 2.9% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2019 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,817 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.