The NCT record
Mazda 2
Supermini. Measured from 36,348 NCT tests in Ireland.
Reliability · measured from test data
Reliability: Above average
More reliable than most cars its age. A good choice.
NCT pass rate: 65% (Above average for its age)
65 in 100 pass the NCT first time at ten years old. Mechanical faults: 0.77× the average car of the same age.
Version research
Known problems for this version
Based on published reliability sources and recall notices, not NCT data. Answer what you know and the verdict gets firmer.
Checking published reliability sources…
How it holds up with age
More than half still pass first time up to 13 years old — a 2013 or newer is the oldest we would suggest.
| Year | Age | Passes first time | Average car |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 | 90% | 82% |
| 2021 | 5 | 82% | 76% |
| 2020 | 6 | 82% | 75% |
| 2019 | 7 | 75% | 67% |
| 2018 | 8 | 76% | 64% |
| 2017 | 9 | 68% | 57% |
| 2016 | 10 | 65% | 53% |
| 2015 | 11 | 60% | 50% |
| 2014 | 12 | 58% | 46% |
| 2013 | 13 | 53% | 42% |
| 2012 | 14 | 47% | 38% |
| 2011 | 15 | 41% | 36% |
| 2010 | 16 | 40% | 35% |
What tends to fail on it
Wheels & tyres
tread depth across the width, uneven wear, tyre age, alloy damage
€65–150 for tyres, per corner — up to €600 at worst.
Wheel alignment (side-slip)
wheel alignment, steering pulling, uneven front tyre wear
€40–70 for alignment, or the worn part causing it — up to €400 at worst.
Steering & suspension
worn ball joints, track rod ends, shock absorbers, bushings
€100–600 for joints, bearings and arms — up to €900 at worst.
Chassis & body
sills, subframe, suspension mounts, wheel arches for rot
€400–800 for welding corroded structure — up to €2,000 at worst.
What the repairs cost
€60–105 in NCT-related repairs is typical for a car this age. It is a figure for comparing models, not a quote.
Irish garage prices for the common jobs are on the repair costs page.
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Other supermini options
- AToyota Yaris(Well above average)
- CFord Fiesta(About average)
- CVolkswagen Polo(About average)
- BNissan Micra(Above average)
- COpel Corsa(About average)
- DRenault Clio(Below average)
Other Mazda models
- CMazda 3(About average)
- CMazda 6(About average)
- DMazda CX 5(Below average)
- CMazda 323(About average)
- EMazda Mazda 5(Well below average)
- CMazda CX 3(About average)
See every model we have measured
Where these figures come from
Test and failure figures: National Car Test statistics published by the Road Safety Authority and the National Car Testing Service, 12.5 million tests, 2015 and 2017–2025. Repair prices: Irish garage quotes and The AA Ireland servicing guides, reviewed September 2026 — see our repair cost guide. Motor tax bands: motortax.ie.
Based on published NCT results and typical Irish repair prices for this model and age. It reflects the condition of cars presented for test, not manufacturer build quality, and cannot tell you about a specific vehicle's history. Repair figures are estimates, not quotes.