2002 Mazda 6 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 734 MOT tests, the 2002 Mazda 6 recorded a 66.5% pass rate. Against large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2002 6 comes out 5.4pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.9%) and lighting & signalling (17.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 135 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 42.6% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.9% | 139 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 125 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.4% | 91 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 65 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.8% | 57 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 49 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 135 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 63 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 48 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 47 |
| 5 | Wipers | 44 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 40 |
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 | 38.8% | 285 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.1% | 206 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.9% | 183 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.5% | 136 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.4% | 98 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 87 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 77 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 224 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 210 | 37.6% |
| 120-150k | 158 | 41.8% |
| 150k+ | 61 | 42.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 263 | 33.1% |
| 2022 | 180 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 129 | 33.3% |
| 2024 | 95 | 39.0% |
| 2025 | 67 | 32.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 6
On a 2002 6, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.9% 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 (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.4% 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 2002 Mazda 6s pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 734 2002 Mazda 6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Mazda 6?
Suspension, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.0%).
Does the 2002 6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.9% in the 30-60k band to 42.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 734 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.