Mazda 6 (2003)
2003 Mazda 6
CarHunch analysed 13,758 real MOT records for the 2003 Mazda 6. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Mazda 6 falls short of the UK average with a 73.5% first-time pass rate, and one in four of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect during their MOT history—a genuine concern for used buyers. Both petrol and diesel variants underperform equally, with pass rates around 73–74%, so fuel type won't be your deciding factor here.
These Mazda 6s are averaging 86,298 miles, which is reasonable for a 21-year-old car, but they're racking up an average of 3.61 failures and 13.6 advisories per test, suggesting aging components and wear are catching up. If you're considering one, budget for above-average maintenance costs and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, braking, and electrical systems before committing.
What to check before buying a 2003 Mazda 6
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.
- ⚠️ 25.9% 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 6
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 (70%) | 9,595 | 73.2% | 3.88 |
| Diesel (30%) | 4,148 | 74.2% | 3 |
| LPG (0%) | 14 | 74.2% | 3.79 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Mazda 6 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 2003 Mazda 6 vehicles fall between 63,949 and 97,023 miles.
2003 Mazda 6 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 526 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Mazda 6
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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72.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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67.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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44.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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40.5%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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34.7%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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33.6%
Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mazda 6?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.