Mazda

Mazda 2 (2009)

16,338 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.8% first-time pass rate

2009 Mazda 2

CarHunch analysed 16,338 real MOT records for the 2009 Mazda 2. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Mazda 2's 76.8% first-time pass rate trails the UK average of 80%, suggesting moderately below-average reliability—but the real concern is that 45.4% of these cars have suffered dangerous defects at some point, well above typical levels. Petrol versions fare slightly better at 77.2% than diesels at 73.5%, though neither inspires confidence.

At 61,603 miles average for a 15-year-old car, mileage is reasonable, yet these vehicles are still accumulating serious wear with an average of 4.05 failures per test and 23.1 advisories. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, braking, and structural rust—the high dangerous defect rate suggests these cars develop significant safety issues as they age.

The 2009 Mazda 2 has a decent first-time pass rate (76.8%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
76.8%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
45.4%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
4.05
Over 16.4 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
59k
Middle half: 44k–74k
For context
🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 23.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 16,338 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 16,338 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 57.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Tyre wear 44.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Other issues 38%
Oil leak, but not excessive · Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
Suspension & steering 27.3%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 16,338 Mazda 2 cars.

UK

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 3.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

77.2%
Petrol
14,645 vehicles
73.5%
Diesel
1,689 vehicles

Before you buy a 2009 Mazda 2

Based on MOT data from 16,338 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 45.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (90%) 14,645 77.2% 4.02
Diesel (10%) 1,689 73.5% 4.3

Colour Breakdown

Based on 145,914 Mazda 2 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 23.7%
34,542
Red 16.4%
23,984
Grey 13.7%
20,024
Silver 13.3%
19,349
White 13.2%
19,281
Black 11.6%
16,931
Green 4.1%
5,947
Maroon 2.9%
4,165
Purple 0.5%
712
Orange 0.4%
627
Yellow 0.2%
325
Bronze 0%
27

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Mazda 2 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

59,112
typical
43,943
low mileage
74,337
high mileage

Half of all 2009 Mazda 2 vehicles fall between 43,943 and 74,337 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 43,943 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
43,943–74,337 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Mazda 2s sit.
Over 100,354 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Mazda 2 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 67% of 2009 Mazda 2s are still active.

10,606 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.

15,753 10,606 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.05
Avg failures per vehicle
23.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Mazda 2: All 2 years → Which year to buy? →
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2022

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Mazda 2 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing