2011 Mazda 6 — MOT failures & pass rate
28,204 MOT tests on the 2011 Mazda 6 are in this dataset, and 75.6% of them passed. That is 1.6 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.4%) and brakes (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — position lamp alone was recorded 2,214 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.4% versus 15.1%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.6pp more often than petrol ones (25.2% vs 22.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 3,779 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.2% | 3,717 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.7% | 2,178 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.7% | 1,603 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 1,051 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 627 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,214 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 1,674 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 1,506 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,243 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 1,059 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 973 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.3% | 9,114 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.6% | 7,789 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.5% | 7,744 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 4,128 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.5% | 2,677 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 1,614 |
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 | 185 | 15.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,070 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 6,583 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 9,132 | 25.1% |
| 120-150k | 6,195 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 4,037 | 26.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 18,865 | 25.2% |
| Petrol | 9,339 | 22.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,644 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 6,290 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 5,796 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 5,158 | 26.2% |
| 2025 | 4,316 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2011 6
On a 2011 6, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.2% 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.
- Suspension (7.7% 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.
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 2011 Mazda 6s pass their MOT?
75.6% of the 28,204 2011 Mazda 6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Mazda 6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by brakes (13.2%).
Does the 2011 6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,204 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.