2008 Mazda 2 (first used 2008) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 50.5% of Mazda 2s first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. Across 23,253 2 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda 2s first used in 2008 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2008 Mazda 2 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 2s first used in 2008 against all cars first used in 2008 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 2 figure was 6.7 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2008 2 | All cars first used 2008 | 2 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 55.2% | 58.0% | 9,617 |
| 2022 | 54.3% | 57.9% | 9,175 |
| 2023 | 52.3% | 57.4% | 8,608 |
| 2024 | 51.6% | 56.9% | 7,791 |
| 2025 | 50.5% | 57.2% | 6,854 |
Common 2008 Mazda 2 MOT failures
Share of the 11,270 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 20.6% | 2,327 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 20.3% | 2,286 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 14.9% | 1,676 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 13.2% | 1,491 |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction | 9.1% | 1,030 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a 2 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2008 Mazda 2 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2008 Mazda 2 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2008 2s, as a share of all 23,253 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.5% | 4,059 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 16.2% | 3,756 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.2% | 3,066 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 9.8% | 2,272 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 9.3% | 2,172 |
Questions about the 2008 Mazda 2 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2008 Mazda 2?
In 2025, 50.5% of 2s first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2008 2 most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 50.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (45.9%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (20.2%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (20.6%).
How often does a 2008 Mazda 2 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 49.5% of first tests on 2s first used in 2008 did not pass first time: 40.4% failed, and a further 9.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 11,270 of 23,253 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2008 Mazda 2 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (16.2%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.2%), “Coil spring: corroded” (9.8%) and “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (9.3%).
Is a 2008 Mazda 2 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 55.2% in 2021 to 50.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2008
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2008 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2008 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2008 2?
The numbers above cover every 2 first used in 2008 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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