CarCostCheck

MAZDA 6 (2005)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,596 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,057

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2057/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Diesel1998cc21 years old1,596 tests101k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1998cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,057
Per month£171/mo
Per week£40/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

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 21 years old, 64% of MAZDA 6s from 2005 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,596 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 100,805 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2005 cars492th of 526(top 94%)
Rank among MAZDA models450th of 483(top 93%)
vs national average-18%(82% avg)
vs 2005 cars average-8%(72% avg)
vs MAZDA average-17%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

100,805

Average miles

vs

155,400

Expected for age

The average 2005 MAZDA 6 has 100,805 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 155,400 miles for a 21-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 2020 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 54%. The 2005 sits between the two at 64%.

MAZDA 6 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202193%11826,540 mi
202094%1,78631,783 mi
201991%7,38144,030 mi
201889%5,15155,840 mi
201787%7,76468,812 mi
201684%11,77178,854 mi
201582%11,89888,374 mi
201480%11,14497,838 mi
201380%7,682103,079 mi
201275%5,149103,925 mi
201174%7,535117,021 mi
201073%9,673121,783 mi
200973%7,396124,353 mi
200871%6,498124,138 mi
200768%4,401109,611 mi
200669%2,430105,119 mi
200564%1,596100,805 mi
200462%76399,968 mi
200363%35698,803 mi
200254%14098,087 mi

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About the 2005 MAZDA 6

The 2005 MAZDA 6 is a family car with a 1998cc diesel engine. 1,596 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 94% of 2005 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 100,805 miles at 21 years old, MAZDA 6 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2005 MAZDA 6 Fuel Costs

The 1998cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2005 MAZDA 6?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,057 171/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MAZDA 6 Reliability Trend

Newer MAZDA 6s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 18 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2005 MAZDA 6

At 21 years old, the MAZDA 6 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2005 MAZDA 6's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 101k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2005 MAZDA 6 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA 6(2005)64%£1037£265Grp 18-32£2057
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2007)73%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2007)71%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£330
HONDA CIVIC(2007)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£7
AUDI A3(2007)75%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£462

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.

Related Mazda Models

Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda 6.

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