2014 Mazda 6 — MOT failures & pass rate
38,679 MOT tests on the 2014 Mazda 6 are in this dataset, and 81.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (18.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (8.7%) and brakes (6.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, brake pads and tread depth — ball joint alone was recorded 1,476 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.5% in the 0-30k band and 21.3% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 16.5% fail against 18.9% for diesel, a 2.5-point gap across 38,679 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 25.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.7% | 3,350 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.0% | 2,326 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.8% | 1,868 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 1,638 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 1,111 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 817 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 1,476 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,012 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,005 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 998 |
| 5 | Wipers | 824 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 807 |
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 | 25.4% | 9,830 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.7% | 9,544 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.3% | 7,856 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.6% | 3,309 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,405 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.6% | 1,017 |
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 | 625 | 12.5% |
| 30-60k | 6,214 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 13,490 | 17.4% |
| 90-120k | 11,256 | 20.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,301 | 21.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,789 | 21.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 30,080 | 18.9% |
| Petrol | 8,599 | 16.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,914 | 14.1% |
| 2022 | 8,117 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 7,881 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 7,643 | 20.4% |
| 2025 | 7,124 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a 2014 6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 8.7% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (8.7% 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.
- Brakes (6.0% 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.
- Tyres (4.8% 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.
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 2014 Mazda 6s pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 38,679 2014 Mazda 6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Mazda 6?
Suspension, recorded in 8.7% of tests, followed by brakes (6.0%).
Does the 2014 6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 0-30k band to 21.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,679 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.