Mazda 6 (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 5,151 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,236

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,236/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

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,236

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Mazda brand average of 81%.

89% of MOT tests on Mazda 6s from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 5,151 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 55,840 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models372nd of 607(bottom half)

Rank among Mazda models176th of 459(top half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+0%(89% avg)

vs Mazda average+8%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

55,840

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Mazda 6 had 55,840 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 54%. The 2018 scores 89%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Mazda 6 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	93%	118	26,540 mi
2020	94%	1,786	31,783 mi
2019	91%	7,381	44,030 mi
2018	89%	5,151	55,840 mi
2017	87%	7,764	68,812 mi
2016	84%	11,771	78,854 mi
2015	82%	11,898	88,374 mi
2014	80%	11,144	97,838 mi
2013	80%	7,682	103,079 mi
2012	75%	5,149	103,925 mi
2011	74%	7,535	117,021 mi
2010	73%	9,673	121,783 mi
2009	73%	7,396	124,353 mi
2008	71%	6,498	124,138 mi
2007	68%	4,401	109,611 mi
2006	69%	2,430	105,119 mi
2005	64%	1,596	100,805 mi
2004	62%	763	99,968 mi
2003	63%	356	98,803 mi
2002	54%	140	98,087 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-2%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+3%

Ford Kuga

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

90%

+1%

MINI Cooper

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+3%

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About the 2018 Mazda 6

The 2018 Mazda 6 is a family car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 5,151 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 55,840 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda 6 owners cover more miles than the average driver.

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 £1,631 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 6?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,236 (£186/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 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 pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 18 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

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

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.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mazda 6(2018)	89%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,236
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078-£158
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
Ford Kuga(2018)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
MINI Cooper(2018)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383

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 6

Is the 2018 Mazda 6 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2018 Mazda 6s ended in a pass, from 5,151 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Mazda 6 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,236 a year (£186 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Mazda 6?

89% of 5,151 MOT tests on the 2018 Mazda 6 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 372nd of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom half).

Which year Mazda 6 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Mazda 6 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2002 the lowest at 54%. 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 6?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Mazda 6 is 55,840 miles, which is above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.