Is the 2018 MAZDA 2 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of MAZDA 2s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 12,473 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 MAZDA 2 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

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

The 2018 MAZDA 2 has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 12,473 tests in 2026. This ranks 279 out of 649 cars from 2018.

Which year MAZDA 2 is most reliable?

The 2019 MAZDA 2 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 2008 at 70%.

MAZDA 2 (2018)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2018 MAZDA 2?

The average mileage for a 2018 MAZDA 2 is 35,410 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 12,473 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,587

£132/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1498cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1587/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol1498cc8 years old12,473 tests35k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Per week£31/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 8 years old, 91% of MAZDA 2s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 12,473 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 35,410 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars279th of 649(top 43%)

Rank among MAZDA models157th of 483(top 33%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

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

vs MAZDA average+10%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

35,410

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 MAZDA 2 has 35,410 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2018 sits between the two at 91%.

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

£1,390/year

81%

-10%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,572/year

81%

-10%

FORD FOCUS

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

87%

-4%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

86%

-5%

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About the 2018 MAZDA 2

The 2018 MAZDA 2 is a small family car with a 1498cc petrol engine. 12,473 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 35,410 miles at 8 years old, 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 £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2018 MAZDA 2?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,587 (£132/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

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

Based on the 2018 MAZDA 2's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA 2(2018)	91%	£1137	£195	Grp 12-25	£1587
FORD FIESTA(2016)	81%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£197
VAUXHALL CORSA(2016)	81%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£15
FORD FOCUS(2016)	87%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677+£90
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)	86%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550-£37

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.