2003 Mazda 6 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,942 MOT tests on the 2003 Mazda 6 are in this dataset, and 68.0% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 3.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.2%) and suspension (17.9%) 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 434 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 37.8% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.7% in 2021 to 30.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 353 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.9% | 347 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.0% | 272 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.8% | 151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 121 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 107 |
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 | 434 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 147 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 134 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 122 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 119 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 117 |
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 | 40.0% | 776 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.2% | 586 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.5% | 553 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.4% | 396 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 337 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.2% | 315 |
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 | 207 | 19.8% |
| 60-90k | 566 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 639 | 34.4% |
| 120-150k | 325 | 39.4% |
| 150k+ | 193 | 37.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,835 | 32.3% |
| Diesel | 104 | 26.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 716 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 486 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 347 | 30.3% |
| 2024 | 242 | 35.1% |
| 2025 | 151 | 30.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.9% 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.
- Brakes (14.0% 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.
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 2003 Mazda 6s pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 1,942 2003 Mazda 6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Mazda 6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by suspension (17.9%).
Does the 2003 6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 30-60k band to 37.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,942 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.