USED Mazda 6 Estate (02 - 07)

My car

Bought the top of the range diesel estate with leather seats, sat nav, climate control and the superb Bose sound system.

Having recently had BMW 3 conervtible (dreadfully unreliable) and a Merc C220 d coupe (uncomfortable) Audi TT (brilliant) I would rate the Mazda along with the Audi as a quality product. Switchgear, plasticas and controls are quality and easy to use.

Engine powerful and everything seems 'just right'. If I have a niggle it is that the steering is perhaps a touch light and it is easy to wander if not 100% watchful.

Overall an excellent car with a build quality that some German manufacturers would find hard to beat.

My car

Having now owned the car for three years, we feel it is time for a change. Our car has done 71000 miles without a problem, and we are changing it for a more recent model with the 6 speed 'box and more powerful diesel engine. I just hope the new one is as trustworthy and rewarding to own as the current one.

My car

This car was a dealer demonstrator with 2500 miles on the clock when I purchased it in April 2005, and was registered new in January 2005.

In August 2005, after 8500 miles, the engine lost power and started to make a loud banging noise as if someone was hitting it with a 5lb mallet. Apparently, one of the rockers had sheared off and a new replacement cylinder head was fitted to rectify the problem. I can't fault the dealer, because they supplied a replacement vehicle for two weeks until the car was repaired.

In May 2006, at 22,600 miles, the car lost power and started to make a similar noise as before and had to be towed into the dealer for repair. This time, the injector seals had gone, the engine had lost power in two cylinders. Again, the dealer was very helpful and repaired the car within 24 hours.

Apart from the engine problems, the alarm system would go off when it's hot and sunny and the rear boot space cover made a rather annoying creaking noise. Both problems have been fixed by the dealer.

The car is a pleasure to drive and holds the road well. However, with the problems I've had over the last year, I have lost faith in the car and have written a letter of complaint to Mazda asking them to replace the vehicle.

My car

I have now driven this car for two years without any problems whatsoever.

However, I may now have to have my fuel pump replaced (according to the service centre) as I am experiencing the car cutting out when slowing down.

As a company car driver, I wanted a car that suited me best and it beat off competion with the Passatt, Mondeo and Vectra.

The interior car noise at high speeds was something I always knew about before I purchased the Mazda 6, but this doesn't bother me as the Bose speaker system shuts it all out.

Overall, it's a great car and the service centre has been great as well.

I am now considering the Mazda 5 MPV next year for my replacement vehicle.