2017 Mazda 6 — MOT failures & pass rate
26,873 MOT tests on the 2017 Mazda 6 are in this dataset, and 87.5% of them passed. That is 1.2 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 13.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.1%) and brakes (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, wipers and tread depth — brake pads alone was recorded 879 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.3% in the 0-30k band and 23.1% in the 150k+ band, a 15.8-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.1pp more often than petrol ones (13.7% vs 10.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.1% | 1,107 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.0% | 1,079 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.6% | 981 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 874 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 636 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 299 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 879 |
| 2 | Wipers | 764 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 590 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 486 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 367 |
| 6 | Washers | 280 |
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 | 25.6% | 6,878 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.2% | 6,512 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.2% | 1,945 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.0% | 1,873 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 970 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 357 |
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 | 4,004 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 11,266 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 7,319 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 3,007 | 16.4% |
| 120-150k | 928 | 16.8% |
| 150k+ | 342 | 23.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 16,432 | 13.7% |
| Petrol | 10,441 | 10.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,238 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 5,332 | 11.0% |
| 2023 | 5,438 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 5,398 | 13.5% |
| 2025 | 5,467 | 16.2% |
What to check before buying a 2017 6
On a 2017 6, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.1% 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.
- Brakes (4.0% 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.
- Suspension (3.6% 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 2017 Mazda 6s pass their MOT?
87.5% of the 26,873 2017 Mazda 6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mazda 6?
Tyres, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by brakes (4.0%).
Does the 2017 6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,873 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.