Mazda 2 (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 12,473 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1498cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 9 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Mazda 2

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1498cc8 years old12,473 tests35k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Mazda brand average of 81%.

91% of MOT tests on Mazda 2s from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 12,473 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 35,410 miles.

Got a Mazda 2 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models251st of 607(top half)

Rank among Mazda models157th of 459(top half)

vs average of all models+9%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+2%(89% avg)

vs Mazda average+10%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,410

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Mazda 2 had 35,410 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Mazda 2?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2018 scores 91%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Mazda 2 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	97%	30	25,674 mi
2019	92%	12,113	27,997 mi
2018	91%	12,473	35,410 mi
2017	90%	11,574	42,686 mi
2016	87%	15,776	51,000 mi
2015	85%	15,877	57,096 mi
2014	79%	14,202	60,500 mi
2013	77%	14,893	67,601 mi
2012	76%	15,653	71,124 mi
2011	74%	18,883	77,682 mi
2010	72%	22,897	86,346 mi
2009	71%	22,733	91,854 mi
2008	70%	14,817	97,282 mi
2007	72%	4,816	90,403 mi
2006	73%	2,297	83,579 mi
2005	71%	1,957	86,126 mi
2004	71%	1,546	89,679 mi
2003	75%	646	91,192 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-10%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-10%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-4%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-5%

Check a Specific Mazda 2

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2018 Mazda 2

The 2018 Mazda 2 is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 12,473 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 35,410 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda 2 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 Mazda 2 Fuel Costs

The 1498cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 Mazda 2?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Mazda 2 Reliability Trend

Newer Mazda 2s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2018 Mazda 2

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. With 12,473 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2018 Mazda 2 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mazda 2(2018)	91%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£253
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£150
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£225
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£73

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2018 Mazda 2

Is the 2018 Mazda 2 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MOT tests on 2018 Mazda 2s ended in a pass, from 12,473 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Mazda 2 cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Mazda 2?

91% of 12,473 MOT tests on the 2018 Mazda 2 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 251st of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top half).

Which year Mazda 2 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Mazda 2 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 2008 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 Mazda 2?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Mazda 2 is 35,410 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.