2022 Mazda 2 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,118 MOT tests on the 2022 Mazda 2 are in this dataset, and 96.6% of them passed. That is 3.5 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 6.9%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.0%) and lighting & signalling (1.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and wipers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 40 times.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 3.0% of the time against 3.8% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.0% | 43 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 35 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.8% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.3% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.1% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 40 |
| 2 | Washers | 21 |
| 3 | Wipers | 13 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 10 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 7 |
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 | 12.5% | 264 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.6% | 161 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.4% | 71 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 38 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.0% | 22 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 6 |
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 | 1,825 | 2.6% |
| 30-60k | 283 | 8.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1,149 | 3.0% |
| Petrol | 969 | 3.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 46 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 2,070 | 3.3% |
What to check before buying a 2022 2
On a 2022 2, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (2.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.5% 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 2022 Mazda 2s pass their MOT?
96.6% of the 2,118 2022 Mazda 2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Mazda 2?
Tyres, recorded in 2.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.7%).
Does the 2022 2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.6% in the 0-30k band to 8.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,118 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.