Mazda 2 (2008)
2008 Mazda 2
CarHunch analysed 12,270 real MOT records for the 2008 Mazda 2. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2008 Mazda 2 passes its MOT first time in 76% of cases, 4 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, which puts it in the below-average reliability bracket. More concerning, nearly 47% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above typical thresholds, so this is a model where serious safety issues are surprisingly common.
At an average mileage of around 65,000 km for a 16-year-old car, these Mazda 2s are running relatively light, yet they still accumulate 4.3 failures per test cycle and 24 advisories on average, suggesting age-related wear is catching up fast. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on steering, braking, and suspension—the kinds of components that trigger dangerous defect flags on this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 1.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2008 Mazda 2
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 46.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mazda 2
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (89%) | 10,880 | 76.2% | 4.37 |
| Diesel (11%) | 1,388 | 74.4% | 4.08 |
| LPG (0%) | 2 | 70.1% | 3.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2008 Mazda 2 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2008 Mazda 2 vehicles fall between 47,509 and 77,570 miles.
2008 Mazda 2 — Still on the Road
6,551 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 56% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2008 Mazda 2
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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44.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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44.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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43.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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41.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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38%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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37.7%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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33.3%
Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
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32.6%
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2008. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mazda 2?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.