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Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) (2002-2007) reliability

At a glance

Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) built around 2007: fails its MOT more often than average

Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) models built around 2007 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

34% of MOT tests on Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) models built around 2007 ended in a fail (retests included), against 28% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) models built around 2007 involves the suspension.

Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2002-2007SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 5,048 tests of 6 models registered 2002-2007.

About 1 in 10 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) MOTs (9.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2007 (18 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,882 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) MOTs (8.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2007 (18 years old).

Based on 1,882 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (GG/GY) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,09435.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,88233.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,10334.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
56233.5%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
27236.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
13537.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

How the 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) compares

At each age below, see how the 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 20,305 tests across 7 Mazda models, built around 2007 (18 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMazda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,09435.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,88233.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,10334.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
56233.5%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
27236.0%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
13537.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the 6 Mk1 (GG/GY).

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.1%

    Lower fail rate: 24.1%, against 33.9% for the Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY), both built around 2007.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,214 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  2. 2

    Chrysler 300

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27%

    Lower fail rate: 27.0%, against 33.9% for the Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY), both built around 2007.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,113 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.1%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 24.0%, against 33.9% for the Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY), both built around 2007.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,389 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.5%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    Lower fail rate: 23.4%, against 33.9% for the Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY), both built around 2007.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,172 MOT tests on cars built around 2007

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

79%of all Mazda 6 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

35 recalls in all

16 of the 35 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 13 more

Top concerns

  • Airbag may malfunction
  • Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly
  • Airbag inflators may not operate as intended

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) cars built around 2007

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 393 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
45%
Emissions
28%
Bodywork
4%
Drivetrain
3%
Steering
2%

Wear items

Lighting
75%
Brakes
68%
Tyres
47%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 45% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) cars have aged

How 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%1416182022Age at MOTBuilt around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (3,943 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (2,935 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (2,302 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (1,693 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (1,352 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (2,381 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (1,831 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (1,394 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (986 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (725 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 38.0% (1,672 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (1,205 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 38.0% (865 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 37.6% (623 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (419 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.1% (791 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (536 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.1% (382 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (280 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 36.3% (212 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (383 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (265 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (197 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 37.4% (147 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 37.6% (93 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (111 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (72 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (51 tests, 2023 data)2002
First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004
How each part holds up as Mk1 (GG/GY) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 (GG/GY) cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension45%61%57%59%
Brakes68%60%55%62%
Emissions28%25%27%25%
Tyres47%46%40%45%
Lighting75%53%45%56%
Drivetrain3%5%4%4%
Bodywork4%9%15%24%
Steering2%3%2%5%
Corrosion45%45%44%49%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 393 to 822 cars at each age.

Mk1 (GG/GY) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mazda 6 models of this age

This list covers every Mazda 6 built around 2007, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (GG/GY) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    33.6%
    Advisory: 1,292Fail: 26 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    23.8%
    Advisory: 619Fail: 42 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    18.5%
    Advisory: 483Fail: 90 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    17.0%
    Advisory: 453Fail: 176 (28% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.0%
    Advisory: 303Fail: 47 (13% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,882 tests

Looking at a Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2007 (18 years old), the Mazda 6 Mk1 (GG/GY) (2002-2007) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,882 18-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 5,048 MOT tests on Mazda 6 models first registered between 2002-2007. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.