2005 Mazda 6 — MOT failures & pass rate
7,689 MOT tests on the 2005 Mazda 6 are in this dataset, and 66.9% of them passed. That is 5.4 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.2%) and lighting & signalling (17.4%) 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 integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 1,549 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.8% in the 0-30k band and 37.2% in the 150k+ band, a 24.4-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.2% | 1,402 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 1,342 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.9% | 1,071 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 624 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 434 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.1% | 391 |
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 | 1,549 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 702 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 506 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 479 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 453 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 449 |
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 | 38.9% | 2,987 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.6% | 2,355 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 2,180 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 1,399 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 1,240 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.1% | 1,236 |
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 | 78 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 716 | 24.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,218 | 30.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,511 | 33.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,543 | 39.0% |
| 150k+ | 621 | 37.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,427 | 33.1% |
| Diesel | 262 | 35.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,643 | 34.0% |
| 2022 | 1,887 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 1,411 | 33.5% |
| 2024 | 1,026 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 722 | 32.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 18.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (18.2% 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 (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.9% 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 2005 Mazda 6s pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 7,689 2005 Mazda 6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Mazda 6?
Suspension, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.4%).
Does the 2005 6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 37.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,689 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.