Mazda 6 (2006)
2006 Mazda 6
CarHunch analysed 13,299 real MOT records for the 2006 Mazda 6.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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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.
The 2006 Mazda 6 has a decent first-time pass rate (76.1%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 13,299 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.
What tends to go wrong
Across 13,299 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 13,299 Mazda 6 cars.
Before you buy a 2006 Mazda 6
Based on MOT data from 13,299 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
26.4% 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. -
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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
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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
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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 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 158,495 Mazda 6 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Mazda 6 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.
Half of all 2006 Mazda 6 vehicles fall between 56,487 and 87,434 miles.
2006 Mazda 6 — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 8% of 2006 Mazda 6s are still active.
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.
* 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
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Compare with another model
See how the 2006 Mazda 6 stacks up against a rival.