Mazda 2 (2011)
2011 Mazda 2
CarHunch analysed 11,900 real MOT records for the 2011 Mazda 2. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 Mazda 2 sits just below the UK average at 79.1% first-time pass rate, with petrol variants (79.2%) holding up slightly better than diesels (76.5%). However, the real concern here is that 44.6% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—nearly double the typical threshold—which should give prospective buyers genuine pause about safety-critical systems.
These cars are running at a reasonable 50,700 miles median for their age, yet they're averaging 3.28 failures and nearly 20 advisories per test, suggesting wear is catching up faster than the mileage alone suggests. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus specifically on braking and suspension components, where dangerous defects cluster on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2011 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.
- ⚠️ 44.6% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (96%) | 11,448 | 79.2% | 3.26 |
| Diesel (4%) | 448 | 76.6% | 3.66 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 95% | 0.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 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 2011 Mazda 2 vehicles fall between 36,851 and 65,460 miles.
2011 Mazda 2 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 9,861 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 85% of the peak.
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 — 2011 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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44.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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42.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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40.1%
Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
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36.1%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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34.9%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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34.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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32.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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30.2%
Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. 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.