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Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) (2013-2023) reliability

At a glance

Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) right now?

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

Key figure

17% of MOT tests on Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL)
average reliability2013-2023SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 45,674 tests of 6 models registered 2013-2023.

About 1 in 40 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) MOTs (2.8%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,494 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 15 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) MOTs (6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 4,494 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk3 (GJ/GL) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
7817.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9068.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,56810.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
4,57213.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
4,49416.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
6,69219.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
8,49622.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,78623.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
6,51025.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,86925.9%

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 12 years old.

How the 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) compares

At each age below, see how the 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 43,359 tests across 7 Mazda models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMazda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
7817.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9068.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,56810.9%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
4,57213.0%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
4,49416.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
6,69219.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
8,49622.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,78623.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
6,51025.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,86925.9%

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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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 Mk3 (GJ/GL).

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.7%, against 16.7% for the Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL), both built around 2018.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volvo S90

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 16.7% for the Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL), both built around 2018.

    2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar XF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    Lower fail rate: 13.3%, against 16.7% for the Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL), both built around 2018.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,761 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Alfa Romeo Giulia

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.8%, against 16.7% for the Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL), both built around 2018.

    2,110 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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

9 of the 35 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 7 more

Top concerns

  • Fire may occur
  • Injector mounting nuts tightening force may be insufficient
  • Engine may stall

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

What has gone wrong on 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) cars built around 2018

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 125 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
12%
Emissions
5%

Wear items

Brakes
22%
Tyres
22%
Lighting
6%
How 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) cars have aged

How 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) 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.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%357911Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 9.0% (490 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (460 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.8% (822 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (710 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.0% (712 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.2% (3,441 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 9.7% (3,253 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (3,214 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (3,113 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (2,609 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.4% (2,449 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (2,362 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (2,337 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (2,318 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (3,653 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.2% (3,663 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (3,615 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.8% (3,529 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.0% (3,522 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (5,624 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (5,560 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (5,486 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (5,379 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (5,238 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 16.4% (5,521 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (5,362 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (5,183 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.6% (5,039 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (4,771 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (5,341 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (5,314 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (5,015 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (4,745 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.9% (4,394 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 19.2% (3,582 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 20.7% (3,493 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (3,332 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (3,091 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (2,869 tests, 2025 data)2013
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as Mk3 (GJ/GL) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk3 (GJ/GL) cars age

The share of diesel cars built 2017-2020 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 car6 years7 years8 years
Suspension1%12%16%
Brakes12%22%22%
Emissions5%5%8%
Tyres12%22%20%
Lighting1%6%5%
Corrosion0%0%4%

Based on diesel cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 114 to 242 cars at each age.

Mk3 (GJ/GL) variants compared

6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • 618.4%2,480 tests

Petrol

  • 614.7%2,013 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mazda 6 models of this age

This list covers every Mazda 6 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk3 (GJ/GL) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    18.6%
    Advisory: 1,230Fail: 86 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    15.9%
    Advisory: 806Fail: 142 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.7%
    Advisory: 673Fail: 9 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.5%
    Advisory: 608Fail: 79 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    7.3%
    Advisory: 446Fail: 70 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,494 tests

Looking at a Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mazda 6 Mk3 (GJ/GL) (2013-2023) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 4,494 7-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 45,674 MOT tests on Mazda 6 models first registered between 2013-2023. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.