Mazda 2 SE-L MOT pass rate and common problems
95.2% of 2,792 Mazda 2 SE-L MOT tests pass.
The 2 SE-L passes its MOT 95.2% of the time — well above the average across all Mazda models, which sits at 77.9%.
The Mazda 2 SE-L passes its MOT 95.2% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mazda 2 SE-L?
This is the average across every Mazda 2 SE-L in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mazda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 97.3% at 0–3 years to 94.2% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.3% | 826 | 18,085 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.2% | 1,964 | 23,860 miles |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda 2 SE-L
The most common reason the Mazda 2 SE-L fails its MOT is visibility — present in 35.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 35.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 32.4% | Too high |
| Brakes | 25.3% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 20.7% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Suspension | 3.7% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.1% | Ineffective |
| Road Wheels | 1.7% | Fixing missing |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 0.4% | Damaged |
Buying a used Mazda 2 SE-L: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda 2 SE-L’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mazda 2 SE-L comes between 0–3 years and 3–6 years old, from 97.3% to 94.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 96.1% down to 92.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 35.3% of failed Mazda 2 SE-L MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 32.4% of failed Mazda 2 SE-L MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 25.3% of failed Mazda 2 SE-L MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 20.7% of failed Mazda 2 SE-L MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 3.7% of failed Mazda 2 SE-L MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mazda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mazda models
- Mazda Bongo — 60.8% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 SE-L — 93.6% pass rate
- Mazda RX-8 — 73.0% pass rate
- Mazda 323 — 65.4% pass rate
- Mazda MX-30 — 95.3% pass rate
- Mazda B Series — 67.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda 2 SE-L?
- 95.2% of Mazda 2 SE-L MOT tests pass, based on 2,792 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda 2 SE-L?
- The most common reason the Mazda 2 SE-L fails its MOT is visibility — present in 35.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Does not clear the windscreen effectively".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda 2 SE-L?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda 2 SE-L are windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda 2 SE-L?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mazda 2 SE-L's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mazda service history guide for how to check and keep one.