Used Mazda 6 Tourer 2012-2022 reliability

Entry-level SE cars come without front and rear parking sensors – a shame, because the 6 is quite a large car. As a result, it’s worth checking for parking scrapes and dings if you’re choosing one of these models.

Some of the interior plastics on early 6 Tourers aren’t as good as later ones and can show marks and scratches. If you happen to be looking at an example with the optional off-white interior, make sure the seats aren’t stained and are in good condition. Being such a light colour means it shows up even the smallest bits of dirt, so be prepared to clean it regularly.

Because it's an estate, make sure the boot carpet isn’t stained and that the roof lining is in good shape. Some owners will have loaded up the luggage area with taller items that might have scuffed the ceiling.

On the whole, owners seem to have high praise for their Mazda 6s, but the 6 can be quite hard on its brake discs, leading to vibration under braking. If you detect this on a test drive, you’ll need to have them looked at.

What’s more, the live traffic service provided by the TomTom satellite navigation system has a few issues, with some owners reporting that it doesn’t work all the time.

Stalling engine

There are two recalls that relate to the possibility of the engine stalling. The first is for a problem with the engine not restarting after the start-stop system has engaged on cars made between 30 October 2013 and 28 February 2014 and will require a software update at the dealer to solve the problem.

The second is for another software issue, but with the fuel injection system on examples built from 26 January 2012 to 21 January 2016. Again, you will need to go to a Mazda dealer to have the software updated in order to prevent future issues.

Engine hydraulic valve clearance adjuster

The hydraulic valve clearance adjuster on cars made between 26 March 2018 and 22 April 2019 might not have been programmed correctly and requires an update to be performed in order for it to function as intended. Speak to a Mazda dealer for further information.

Vacuum pump

The vacuum pump that works as part of the braking system could wear out on examples made from 26 January 2012 to 21 January 2016 and could result in reduced braking assistance. If your Mazda 6 is affected by this, it will need to have a new pump fitted.

Soot build-up

A soot build-up in the intake shutter valve in the engine could cause problems on models made from 26 January 2012 to 30 June 2018. Contact a Mazda dealer to find out if this applies to your car, because the valve will need to be cleaned out and a software update performed to prevent this from recurring.

Fuel injectors

The fuel injectors on some examples that were made between 26 January 2012 and 21 January 2016 might not have been tightened down correctly. Any Mazda dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected by this and will check the tightness of the injectors for you if it is.

Fire

There is a small possibility of a vehicle fire due to an issue with the DC-DC converter that forms part of the engine start-stop system. It only applies to early cars manufactured between 31 July 2012 and 3 March 2013, so speak to a Mazda dealer to find out if this applies to your example, because it will need a new DC-DC unit.

Parking brake

Corrosion on the parking brake assembly of cars built from 31 July 2012 to 18 November 2014 could affect the operation of it and result in not enough force being applied to the brakes, potentially leading to the car rolling away. Find out from a Mazda dealer if your example is affected by this, because it will need to be inspected if it is.

Boot struts

Mazda issued a recall in early 2017 for boot struts that could fail due to water ingress. This affected 6 Tourers built from the start of production up to 2 April 2015. You can find out whether your car has had this work carried out by contacting your local Mazda dealership.

The Mazda 6 finished in a great sixth place out of 24 cars in the executive car class in our most recent 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey with an overall score of 93.3%.

Reliability rating 93.3%

Bodywork and brake system issues were the most commonly cited problems for the 31% of 2013-2022 Mazda 6 owners whose cars went wrong. They also told us there were some problems with other electrical systems, the air-con and the gearbox/clutch. Mazda covered the cost of all fixes, and 58% of cars were out of the garage in a day or less. Only 8% of faulty cars took more than a week to put right.

Mazda as a brand finished in 13th place out of 32 manufacturers in the same survey with a good overall score of 92.8%. This placed it above Audi, Ford, Mercedes and Volkswagen, among others, but below BMW, Honda, Kia and Volvo.

Used Mazda 6 reliability: the owners' view

As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers provided feedback on this version of the Mazda 6. That feedback suggests that the Mazda 6 is a dependable car with few serious mechanical issues. Most of the reliability concerns were for minor electronic components and infotainment system glitches, which were occasionally troublesome but not severe.

When it comes to dealer service, the response from the owners was largely positive. Many praised their dealerships for professionalism and efficiency, particularly noting the prompt service and effective communication. However, a few readers mentioned experiences with inconsistent service quality and occasional delays in scheduling repairs, which impacted their overall satisfaction.

Despite these minor setbacks, the Mazda 6 is praised for its reliability, and the dealer network generally receives commendation for its service, though there seems to be some room for improvement in consistency.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.