Mazda 121 vs Mazda 2: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Mazda 121
63%
MOT pass rate · 6,017 vehicles
Mazda 2
78%
MOT pass rate · 146,943 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Mazda 2 is the more reliable of the two — 78% pass first time versus 63%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Head to head
| Measure | Mazda 121 | Mazda 2 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 63% | 78% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 37% | 22% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.8 | 1.7 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 0% ✓ | 3% |
| Average mileage | 81,994 mi | 76,654 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 6,017 | 146,943 |
Most common faults
Mazda 121
- Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
- Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Mazda 2
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
- Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate, the Mazda 2 is the more reliable of the two — 78% pass first time versus 63%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.
Full Mazda 121 report Full Mazda 2 report Most reliable cars
Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.