2016 Mazda 2 (first used 2016) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 78.4% of Mazda 2s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. Across 30,281 2 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, tyres and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda 2s first used in 2016 (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 2016 Mazda 2 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 2s first used in 2016 against all cars first used in 2016 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 2 figure was 3.5 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2016 2 | All cars first used 2016 | 2 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82.8% | 82.7% | 10,160 |
| 2022 | 81.3% | 80.9% | 10,184 |
| 2023 | 81.0% | 78.6% | 10,131 |
| 2024 | 80.8% | 76.7% | 10,082 |
| 2025 | 78.4% | 74.9% | 10,068 |
Common 2016 Mazda 2 MOT failures
Share of the 6,037 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belt condition: retracting mechanism defective | 13.0% | 784 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 11.7% | 707 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 10.0% | 603 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 9.3% | 560 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 8.7% | 527 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2016 Mazda 2 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- 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 2016 Mazda 2 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2016 2s, as a share of all 30,281 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 15.3% | 4,623 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.1% | 3,352 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.1% | 2,459 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 7.5% | 2,268 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.9% | 1,188 |
Questions about the 2016 Mazda 2 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Mazda 2?
In 2025, 78.4% of 2s first used in 2016 passed their MOT first time, against 74.9% for all cars first used in 2016. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2016 2 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 24.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (22.6%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (22.2%). The single most common item was “Seat belt condition: retracting mechanism defective” (13.0%).
How often does a 2016 Mazda 2 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 21.6% of first tests on 2s first used in 2016 did not pass first time: 17.8% failed, and a further 3.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,037 of 30,281 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2016 Mazda 2 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 15.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.1%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.1%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (7.5%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.9%).
Is a 2016 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 82.8% in 2021 to 78.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2016
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2016 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2016 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2016 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2016 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2016 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2016 2?
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