CarCostCheck

MAZDA 6 (2018)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,151 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,927

£161/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1927/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc8 years old5,151 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,927
Per month£161/mo
Per week£37/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 8 years old, 89% of MAZDA 6s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,151 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 55,840 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars402th of 649(top 62%)
Rank among MAZDA models177th of 483(top 37%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average+0%(89% avg)
vs MAZDA average+8%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

55,840

Average miles

vs

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 MAZDA 6 has 55,840 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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 2018 sits between the two at 89%.

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 2018 MAZDA 6

The 2018 MAZDA 6 is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 5,151 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 55,840 miles at 8 years old, MAZDA 6 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 MAZDA 6 Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 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 6?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,927 161/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2018 MAZDA 6

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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 5,151 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 MAZDA 6's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 8 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA 6(2018)89%£1327£195Grp 18-32£1927
FORD FOCUS(2016)87%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£250
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£345
FORD KUGA(2018)90%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£345
MINI COOPER(2018)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£345

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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