Mazda 6 (2006)
2006 Mazda 6
CarHunch analysed 13,299 real MOT records for the 2006 Mazda 6. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 Mazda 6 falls 3.9 percentage points below the UK average with a 76.1% first-time pass rate, which is a mild concern—but the serious red flag is that 26.4% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above the 20% threshold that signals genuine buyer risk. Petrol and diesel versions perform almost identically (75.8% vs 76.6% pass rates), so fuel type won't help you here.
At nearly 80,000 miles on average for an 18-year-old car, these Mazdas are fairly well-used, yet they're averaging 3.31 failures and 17.6 advisories per test, suggesting age-related wear rather than structural rot. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and the exhaust system—the high advisory count points to components that deteriorate with mileage on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2006 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.
- ⚠️ 26.4% 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (62%) | 8,191 | 75.8% | 3.63 |
| Diesel (38%) | 5,094 | 76.6% | 2.79 |
| LPG (0%) | 11 | 76.1% | 3.36 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 2 | 73.8% | 4 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 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 2006 Mazda 6 vehicles fall between 56,487 and 87,434 miles.
2006 Mazda 6 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 915 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (8% of 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 — 2006 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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68.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.6%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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60.3%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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55.3%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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51.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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36.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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35%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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31.5%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. 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.