Used Mazda 6 Tourer 2012-2022 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Mazda Mazda5?

Entry-level SE cars come without front and rear parking sensors – a shame, because the 6 is quite a large car. As a result, it’s worth checking for parking scrapes and dings if you’re choosing one of these models.

Some of the interior plastics on early 6 Tourers aren’t as good as later ones and can show marks and scratches. If you happen to be looking at an example with the optional off-white interior, make sure the seats aren’t stained and are in good condition. Being such a light colour means it shows up even the smallest bits of dirt, so be prepared to clean it regularly.

Because it's an estate, make sure the boot carpet isn’t stained and that the roof lining is in good shape. Some owners will have loaded up the luggage area with taller items that might have scuffed the ceiling.

On the whole, owners seem to have high praise for their Mazda 6s, but the 6 can be quite hard on its brake discs, leading to vibration under braking. If you detect this on a test drive, you’ll need to have them looked at.

What’s more, the live traffic service provided by the TomTom satellite navigation system has a few issues, with some owners reporting that it doesn’t work all the time.

Is a used Mazda Mazda5 reliable?

The Mazda 6 finished in a great sixth place out of 24 cars in the executive car class in our most recent 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey with an overall score of 93.3%.

Reliability rating 93.3%

Bodywork and brake system issues were the most commonly cited problems for the 31% of 2013-2022 Mazda 6 owners whose cars went wrong. They also told us there were some problems with other electrical systems, the air-con and the gearbox/clutch. Mazda covered the cost of all fixes, and 58% of cars were out of the garage in a day or less. Only 8% of faulty cars took more than a week to put right.

Mazda as a brand finished in 13th place out of 32 manufacturers in the same survey with a good overall score of 92.8%. This placed it above Audi, Ford, Mercedes and Volkswagen, among others, but below BMW, Honda, Kia and Volvo.

Used Mazda 6 reliability: the owners' view

As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers provided feedback on this version of the Mazda 6. That feedback suggests that the Mazda 6 is a dependable car with few serious mechanical issues. Most of the reliability concerns were for minor electronic components and infotainment system glitches, which were occasionally troublesome but not severe.

When it comes to dealer service, the response from the owners was largely positive. Many praised their dealerships for professionalism and efficiency, particularly noting the prompt service and effective communication. However, a few readers mentioned experiences with inconsistent service quality and occasional delays in scheduling repairs, which impacted their overall satisfaction.

Despite these minor setbacks, the Mazda 6 is praised for its reliability, and the dealer network generally receives commendation for its service, though there seems to be some room for improvement in consistency.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.

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