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Mazda 2 reliability, MPG and running costs

Figures updated

The Mazda 2 is a supermini. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 93 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 306 of 442, and 30.8% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is ball joint (5.9% of tests).

93Below average

Ranked 306 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League, and 10 of 31 superminis

In 2024, 125,609 Mazda 2s aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 30.8% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Mazda 2 is 8% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At the first MOT, at three years old, 8.4% failed (UK 12.7%).

First-time fail rate

30.8%

UK 28.5%

Fail rate at 3 years

8.4%

UK 12.7%

Average miles a year

6,100

Typical age at test: 11 years

Mazda 2 MOT failure rate by age

0%10%20%30%40%50%36912151820UK average 43%2 43%

Most common Mazda 2 MOT faults

  1. Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.9% of tests
  2. Position lamp: not working3.7% of tests
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.5% of tests
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.2% of tests
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.1% of tests
  6. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3% of tests

What the Mazda 2 fails on

AreaTests failingvs similar cars
Suspension13.0%▲ 1.4× as often
Lights and electrics11.1%About average
Tyres6.5%About average
Visibility6.1%▲ 1.3× as often
Brakes4.9%▼ 25% less often
Steering3.8%▲ 2.0× as often
Exhaust and emissions2.1%▼ 31% less often
Body and structure1.7%▼ 49% less often
Seat belts and airbags1.1%▲ 1.3× as often
Wheels0.2%▼ 29% less often

What MPG does the Mazda 2 do?

Official economy for the Mazda 2 ranges from 52.3 to 74.3mpg across the 16 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2023–2024). A typical petrol version manages 60.1mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.

Work out a journey's fuel cost

How much is road tax on a Mazda 2?

Any Mazda 2 first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates).

Work out tax for a specific car

Mazda 2 specs and running costs

Official figures for 16 versions sold in the UK between 2023 and 2024.

Fuel types

Hybrid, Petrol

Official economy

52.3–74.3 mpg

CO2

87–122 g/km

Power

55–92 PS

VersionFuelEconomyCO2Car taxCompany car tax
2 Hybrid 1.5 116ps Centre-Line Auto / Black Cloth (01/24)68 PS · A6 · listed 2024Hybrid74.3 mpg87g£20023%
2 Hybrid 1.5 116ps Exclusive-Line Auto / Black Cloth (01/24)68 PS · A6 · listed 2024Hybrid70.6 mpg92g£20024%
2 Hybrid 1.5 116ps Homura Auto / Cloth-Leatherette (01/24)68 PS · A6 · listed 2024Hybrid67.3 mpg97g£20025%
2 Hybrid 1.5 116ps Homura Plus Auto / Cloth-Leatherette (01/24)68 PS · A6 · listed 2024Hybrid67.3 mpg98g£20025%
2 1.5 75ps Centre-Line / Black Cloth (02/23)55 PS · M6 · listed 2024Petrol58.9 mpg109g£20027%
2 1.5 90ps Centre-Line / Black Cloth (02/23)66 PS · M6 · listed 2024Petrol60.1 mpg107g£20027%
2 1.5 90ps Exclusive-Line / Black Cloth (02/23)66 PS · M6 · listed 2024Petrol60.1 mpg107g£20027%
2 1.5 90ps Homura / Black Red Cloth (02/23)66 PS · M6 · listed 2024Petrol60.1 mpg107g£20027%
2 1.5 90ps Homura Aka / Cloth & Leather (02/23)66 PS · M6 · listed 2024Petrol60.1 mpg107g£20027%
2 1.5 90ps Exclusive-Line Auto / Black Cloth (02/23)66 PS · A6 · listed 2024Petrol52.3 mpg122g£20030%
2 1.5 90ps Homura Aka Auto / Cloth & Leather (02/23)66 PS · A6 · listed 2024Petrol52.3 mpg122g£20030%
2 1.5 115ps Homura Aka / Driver Assist / Cloth & Leather (02/23)85 PS · M6 · listed 2024Petrol56.5 mpg113g£20028%
2 Hybrid 1.5 116ps Agile Auto / Black Cloth (04/22)92 PS · A6 · listed 2023Hybrid74.3 mpg87g£20023%
2 Hybrid 1.5 116ps Agile Auto / Cloth-Leatherette / Comf (04/22)92 PS · A6 · listed 2023Hybrid74.3 mpg87g£20023%
2 Hybrid 1.5 116ps Pure Auto / Black Cloth (04/22)92 PS · A6 · listed 2023Hybrid74.3 mpg87g£20023%

Economy and CO2 are official WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Company car tax is the 2026/27 benefit-in-kind rate. Showing the 15 most recent of 16 versions.

What a Mazda 2 costs to fuel

  • petrol, typical official 60.1mpg…

Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.

Work out a journey in a Mazda 2

Buying a used Mazda 2?

Check the MOT history of the exact car: every result, advisory and mileage reading, free.

Compare the Mazda 2 with other superminis

Reliability, economy, car tax and running costs side by side.

Other Mazda models

Frequently asked questions

›Is the Mazda 2 reliable?

Its MOT record is worse than average: the Mazda 2 is 8% more likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 93 in our 2024 league (100 is average).

›What are common problems with the Mazda 2?

The most common MOT fault is “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”, found in 5.9% of tests. It fails on steering and suspension more often than similar cars.

›What MPG does the Mazda 2 do?

Official economy for the Mazda 2 ranges from 52.3 to 74.3mpg across the 16 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2023–2024). A typical petrol version manages 60.1mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.

›How much is road tax on a Mazda 2?

Any Mazda 2 first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates).

›How many Mazda 2s fail their MOT?

30.8% of Mazda 2s aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024, and 8.4% failed at their first MOT.

Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Mazda 2 combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.