2006 Mazda B Series — MOT failures & pass rate
977 MOT tests on the 2006 Mazda B Series are in this dataset, and 73.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.3%, so the 2006 B Series sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.5% of all tests — 6.2 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, rear fog lamp and joints — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 75 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 26.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.7% in 2021 to 28.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 181 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 120 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 105 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.1% | 99 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 43 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 75 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 74 |
| 3 | Joints | 66 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 65 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 57 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
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 | 34.5% | 337 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.3% | 296 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.1% | 235 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.6% | 211 |
| 5 | Tyres | 21.1% | 206 |
| 6 | Steering | 12.1% | 118 |
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 | 100 | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 223 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 270 | 30.0% |
| 120-150k | 166 | 27.7% |
| 150k+ | 190 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 266 | 29.7% |
| 2022 | 220 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 178 | 20.8% |
| 2024 | 167 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 146 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 B Series
On a 2006 B Series, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (10.8% 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 2006 Mazda B Seriess pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 977 2006 Mazda B Series MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Mazda B Series?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.3%).
Does the 2006 B Series get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.0% in the 30-60k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 977 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.