Diesel Mazda 6: MOT pass rate

74.3% of diesel Mazda 6s pass the MOT first time, measured across 32,906 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 101,636.

Diesel against the other Mazda 6 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 6 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 75%, and this diesel version sits 0.3 points below the 74.6% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. 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 6 had covered 101,636 miles at test, against 83,746 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 6 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Mazda 6

1. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 3.1% of tests (2.35x the national rate for this defect)
2. Parking brake inoperative on one side, 1.3% of tests (2.2x the national rate for this defect)
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 2% of tests (1.86x the national rate for this defect)
4. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.7% of tests (1.72x 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, 3.5% of tests (1.57x the national rate for this defect)
6. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.7% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect)
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.5% of tests (1.44x the national rate for this defect)
8. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.5% of tests (1.2x the national rate for this defect)
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.2% of tests (1.16x the national rate for this defect)
10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 5.7% of tests

From 33,124 DVSA-tracked diesel Mazda 6 tests, 2024, split out from the Mazda 6's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.8% 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 6

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

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 21.3% of tests (4.12x 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, 3.5% of tests (2.33x the national rate for this defect)
3. Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution., 1.8% of tests (2.13x the national rate for this defect)
4. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 2.2% of tests (1.97x the national rate for this defect)
5. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.4% of tests (1.9x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 10.7% of tests (1.72x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.2% of tests (1.59x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 14.4% of tests (1.54x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 18.9% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 16.8% of tests (1.38x the national rate for this defect)

From 33,124 DVSA-tracked diesel Mazda 6 tests, 2024.

Other Mazda 6 fuel types

• Petrol Mazda 6 - 75%

All Mazda 6 MOT data · Every model