Diesel Mazda 2: MOT pass rate

64.2% of diesel Mazda 2s pass the MOT first time, measured across 3,103 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 99,377.

Diesel against the other Mazda 2 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Mazda 2 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 74%, and this diesel version sits 9.6 points below the 73.8% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The diesel Mazda 2 fails more often than the model average, so budget for the items that catch this fuel type and treat a fresh MOT as worth paying for. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Mazda 2 had covered 99,377 miles at test, against 67,110 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mazda 2 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mazda 2

1. Headlamp reflector or lens seriously defective or missing, 2.3% of tests (10.52x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 5.5% of tests (5.17x the national rate for this defect)
3. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 5.9% of tests (4.49x the national rate for this defect)
4. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 3.9% of tests (4.13x the national rate for this defect)
5. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 7.5% of tests (3.37x the national rate for this defect)
6. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 3.1% of tests (3.23x the national rate for this defect)
7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 7.3% of tests (3.1x the national rate for this defect)
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 3.7% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 11.1% of tests (2.21x the national rate for this defect)
10. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4.3% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect)

From 3,128 DVSA-tracked diesel Mazda 2 tests, 2024, split out from the Mazda 2's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.23% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Mazda 2

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 7% of tests (6.36x the national rate for this defect)
2. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 8.1% of tests (5.35x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 29.3% of tests (4.73x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 5.6% of tests (4.22x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.4% of tests (3.57x the national rate for this defect)
6. A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting, 3.4% of tests (3.2x the national rate for this defect)
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 14.9% of tests (2.68x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 12.5% of tests (2.42x the national rate for this defect)
9. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 9.8% of tests (2.07x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 28.9% of tests

From 3,128 DVSA-tracked diesel Mazda 2 tests, 2024.

Other Mazda 2 fuel types

• Petrol Mazda 2 - 74%

All Mazda 2 MOT data · Every model