Mazda

Mazda 6 (2009)

10,300 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.6% first-time pass rate

2009 Mazda 6

CarHunch analysed 10,300 real MOT records for the 2009 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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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Mazda 6 falls slightly below the UK average with a 77.6% first-time pass rate versus 80%, and this is compounded by a concerning 41.5% of vehicles having recorded dangerous defects at some point—well above what you'd expect for a car of this age. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically (78.1% and 77.3% respectively), so fuel type won't be a deciding factor in reliability.

At nearly 94,000 miles median mileage, these cars are showing their age with an average of 3.18 failures per test and nearly 20 advisories each, suggesting that wear items and minor corrosion are becoming routine issues rather than exceptions. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on suspension, exhaust, and brake components—these are the typical culprits—and budget for near-term repairs rather than expecting a trouble-free ownership period.

The 2009 Mazda 6 has a decent first-time pass rate (77.6%), 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
77.6%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
41.5%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
3.18
Over 13.2 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
94k
Middle half: 74k–115k
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 19.8 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 10,300 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 10,300 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 52.7%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · …
Tyre wear 50.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear 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.
Brake wear 47.6%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

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 10,300 Mazda 6 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2009 Mazda 6

Based on MOT data from 10,300 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 41.5% 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
Diesel (61%) 6,331 77.3% 2.95
Petrol (38%) 3,963 78.1% 3.54

Colour Breakdown

Based on 158,495 Mazda 6 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 26%
41,132
Blue 25.2%
39,875
Grey 16.5%
26,179
Black 13.4%
21,188
Red 12.5%
19,888
White 5.4%
8,568
Green 0.8%
1,265
Yellow 0.2%
271
Maroon 0%
71
Gold 0%
25
Purple 0%
22
Brown 0%
11

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 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.

93,979
typical
74,014
low mileage
115,317
high mileage

Half of all 2009 Mazda 6 vehicles fall between 74,014 and 115,317 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 74,014 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.
74,014–115,317 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Mazda 6s sit.
Over 155,677 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 6 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 30% of 2009 Mazda 6s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 2,880 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (30% of peak).

9,534 2,880 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

13.2
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.18
Avg failures per vehicle
19.8
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Mazda 6: All 6 years → Which year to buy? →
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Watch for defects — worth knowing