Used Mazda 2 2015-2025 reliability

Due to the urban driving that the Mazda 2 is likely to be subjected to, check that there isn’t any slippage or any notchiness from the clutch. Any problems here indicates abuse and the the likelihood of large repair bills.

Check for any scrapes to bumpers or poor accident repair to body panels. If the work hasn’t been carried out to Mazda’s workshop standards, then this could lead to future rust problems.

When it was tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP in 2015, the Mazda 2 scored four out of five stars. That rating has now expired, making it impossible to compare it with rivals, but it’s worth noting that the Ibiza and Fabia have both scored five stars in more recent years.

There have been several problems reported with the air-conditioning system on the 2, and owners have bemoaned the length of time it took to get parts into their dealership to sort the issue. Speak to the previous owner, if you can, to find out if they have had repair work completed on their car. If you can’t do this, make sure that the system works and chucks out ice-cold air. Switching quickly between hot and cold gives you a good indicator as to whether the system is still working.

On diesel models, it’s worth keeping in mind that the diesel particulate filter (DPF) system can cause problems if not given frequent motorway runs. If you’re buying a diesel, check the previous owner’s usage, because a blocked DPF can lead to engine damage.

Although it's always done quite well in the past, the Mazda 2 didn't feature in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey.

As a brand, Mazda ranked 18th out of 31 manufacturers featured with a respectable score of 91.1%. This put it above Audi, Fiat, Peugeot and Volkswagen, but below Citroen, Dacia, Ford and Renault.