In-depth reviews

Mazda6 owner reviews

“The Mazda6 saloon is one of our favourite family cars, with sharp looks, precise handling and fuel-efficient engines”

Carbuyer Rating

3.7 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.0 out of 5

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Reviews

Owner Reviews

  • 5 out of 5
  • 4 out of 5
  • 3 out of 5
  • 2 out of 5
  • 1 out of 5
thumbs up50%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

  • Engine (3 cases)
  • Brakes, Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Suspension (2 cases)
  • Other (2 cases)
  • Electrics, Engine, Other (1 case)
  • Brakes, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
  • Electrics (1 case)
  • Brakes, Engine, Other (1 case)

Review 1 of 20

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.2d Skyactive Sport Nav Auto

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

54
Tell us what you think about your car?
Lovely car, but get a guarantee, signed in blood, from your dealership that it will cover at least the 12,500 miles stated in the handbook, before the oil-dilution light (DPF system) comes on. Oil change needed every 7000 miles. And yes, Mazda blame my driving style too!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.4 petrol

Year

2009

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
Don't buy one. Worst car i ever owned. It wastes more fuel than my WRX. It doesn't handle at all and the braking is a joke. The Air Conditioning is the only good thing about it.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

GT Sport Nav + 2.2 diesel

Year

2018

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

48
Tell us what you think about your car?
Had the Mazda6 for 5 months now, its been ok. Nice to drive and very comfortable. There is a big problem with the paintwork. My car is Soul Red Crystal Metallic. A beautiful colour. However, Mazda cannot supply any touch up paint. Apparently the formula of the paint is too complicated to be produced in a touch up bottle. Where does that leave me with a stone chip? Also, I agree with many other comments about the rather strange keyless central locking system. I can never be sure it will lock when I walk away and inevitably end up pressing the key fob which defeats the object of keyless.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.2 sports nav auto (175) diesel

Year

2014

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

47
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great looking car that performs well with good economy and space for 4 adults in comfort. I considered an e class but this car has all of the extras and more and easily beats the merc on price to even the basic spec of this model by a massive £12,000. I went for the soul red option with cream leather interior. Everyone who see it thinks it cost at least £40k. I have had the car for over 6 moths with absolutely no reliability issues. I would definitely recommend.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.2D Sport Nav (175 ps) Auto

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

50
Tell us what you think about your car?
Awesome car in every respect. Excellent paddle shifts, superb handling in town and above motorway limits, comfortable, spacious and handsome. Its got everything I had asked for without ticking any boxes on the order form (unlike the german brands). I just wish by the time I come to sell the 6, Mazda has a 7 or a 8 ready for me.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Year

2008

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

60
Tell us what you think about your car?
The DPF warning light came on after driving over 1300 miles in 3 days and from then on, it remained on. So I did a forced regeneration to the DPF. I drive a lot but, have to regen the DPF a lot. The fan belt snapped so I had it repaired at a Mazda garage, then it snapped again after just 6 weeks. I changed it again myself and it has been ok for 3 months but I always keep a spare. Then the aircon stopped working. The trim comes away from the window and makes a loud noise. The driver's seat constantly comes loose. The airbag light has come on. The indicators sometimes work then randomly stop working. It is the worst car I have owned and I have owned a lot of cars. The only real positive, is that the fuel economy is excellent.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.0 petrol

Year

2007

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

33
Tell us what you think about your car?
Not sure whether I pulled the short straw and bought a lemon, but the car was absolute disaster. Major engine failure, lots of rattles, ended up for scrap.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Year

2016

Avg annual mileage

More than 20,000

Owned

2 - 3 years

Bought Car

Used
Tell us what you think about your car?
This is ostensibly a good car. This is my third new Mazda 6 but unfortunately with this model there seems to have been some cost-cutting. The Tomtom sat nav has been replaced with something that an adolescent might have designed as part of a school project. It ignores all that has gone before and is not really fit for purpose. My rear brake pads needed to be replaced after 7 months - I (a driver of over 40 years experience) was told that this was as a result of my 'driving style'. My car is now in its second year and both the clutch and flywheel hve failed and Mazda is refusing to accept any of the £2123.00 cost under warranty. I was told (before anyone had actually looked at it) that the failure was due to my 'driving style'. A quick google will tell you that Mazda knows all about this fault and they will fight you every step of the way. Mazda couldn't care less about their customers. I shall be cutting my losses and be getting rid of my last ever Mazda at the earliest opportunity.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.0 SE-L

Year

2014

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

48
Tell us what you think about your car?
This is a good looking and well equipped car. Reliability has been excellent so far, and running costs are quite low for a car this size. Only two problems I have with it. 1. Even though the car is bigger outside than the older model, there is less room and a lot less storage space on the inside. 2. The petrol engine is less powerful, and the car slower, than the diesel equivalent. (Bring back the good old days when petrol ruled supreme)
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

2 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.2 Sport

Year

2010

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

29
Tell us what you think about your car?
There is a lot I like about the car but I have experienced DPF problems and required a part engine change when the car was just out of warranty (3 years old). Now the car is back in a Mazda main dealer with error B1026 which they are telling me will cost £1440 to have a new steering lock control module. I had been out in the car and when I went to restart it the engine I had a red light on the start/stop button. I did the usual and checked all the batteries were ok and called Mazda service to get ideas... I was recovered and the garage had to contact the manufacturer to get the appropriate course of action as they were unsure. On researching this error I can see a lot of models between 2008-2012 have experienced this which has turned out to be costly and some still not diagnosed. I contacted Mazda manufacturer and they are not interested although I am positive this is not wear and tear but another manufacturing issue. I will NEVER buy another Mazda again... worse car and customer service from the manufacturer EVER!! I hope to get my car back working soon.....
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Sport Nav

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

45
Tell us what you think about your car?
Great car. After 2 SEAT Leon Cupras I needed something bigger as the kids grew up. This has been perfect. For such a big car the handling is excellent without overly compromising comfort. Definitely recommend it if you want to throw it into corners a bit.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.2-litre diesel

Year

1

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

35
Tell us what you think about your car?
I saved up for two years to buy my privately purchased Mazda6 2.2-litre diesel. I love the sporty look of the car and in my opinion it's the best looking in its class. The ride feels great with plenty of power and lots of extras. However, within three days of having it, the oil light came on on my way to work. By the time I got back home the turbo had completely blown. This was down to the oil pick up filter located at the bottom of the engine completely blocked. In less than six months I've had to remove the sump and clean the oil pick up filter twice. Other than that, everything has been fine. Would I recommend the 2.2-litre diesel? No. Maybe I'll go for the petrol version next.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

sel nav 145 hp automatic

Year

2015

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

31
Tell us what you think about your car?
I get 31 mpg about town and on a motorway run at 65/70 mph I reach figures of 50/ 51mpg. This is truly the nearest i have had to any car company's stated mpg. The car itself is well worth the money and has all sorts of little additions that make life easy like the nice lady under the dashboard who tells me when I have reached the speed limit for the road i'm travelling on and the easy cruise control system which seems flawless. The DAB radio also is a nice touch and seemingly unlimited choices for entertainment. Im getting another !
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.2 SKYACTIV-D 175 SportNav

Year

2014

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New

Typical MPG

38
Tell us what you think about your car?
Bitter sweet experience thus far [owned car for 3 months] Bitter - it's nowhere near as economical as my older, bigger engined Volvo S80 it replaced [43 v 38 mpg], nor as comfortable. Scratches too easily! The iPod connection takes 2 mins to connect and always starts from same song rather than where it left off and sometimes descends into white noise! It doesn't get on well with speed bumps, either. Sweet - fabulous looks [always gets a second look], seemless gear change, smooth engine, Euro6 compliant emissions so cheaper tax & insurance compared to the car it replaced If it weren't for the fact that I'd had its predecessor for 7 years and driven it all over Europe I'd probably rate the Mazda6 higher. I think I need to run it for 3 years before judging it too harshly. I am told the problem with the iPod is because I have an ancient iPod and I simply need to upgrade it, software issues I'm told by my expert. Economy will improve if I drive it slower with less rapid acceleration. My daughter and her friends love the Mazda6's looks and my brother-in-law says I've upgraded to a sexy car from an old man's car.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

4 out of 5

Car Details

Model

1.5-2 litre, Petrol, Manual

Year

2012

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.0 SEL Nav Petrol

Year

2014

Avg annual mileage

5,000 – 9,999

Owned

1 - 2 years

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
Have owned this car for two years. Absolutely no problems. Extremely comfortable on journeys even when fully loaded with four up and a boot full of luggage. Engine pulls well and is very economical on a run. Stylish design. Am just about to change for a new one. Only downside new ones have electric handbrake so not so keen on that aspect as I have a steep drive. Overall I'm impressed. Well done Mazda.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

3 out of 5

Car Details

Model

6 SE-L Nav+

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

New
Tell us what you think about your car?
I like the car overall and in fact I exchanged my old Mazda 6 for the new model. However, I hate the lack of rear wiper on the latest model (see below) and find some of the safety features over the top. For example, changing any panel setting whilst driving is impossible unless you are traveling at less than 10mph and even when stationary to open a back door to drop off a passenger or open the boot you have to switch the engine off!
What's the one thing you like most about your car?
Easy to drive. Lots of power. Looks good (in my opinion).
If you could improve one thing, what would it be?
A rear screen wiper. All the expert reviews are conducted in good weather but without a rear wiper in wet or icy conditions seeing out of the back, despite side mirrors, ranges from tricky to dangerous. I have never found any explanation as to why there is no wiper only a confirmation that many saloons no longer have them.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Sport

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

More than 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

38
Tell us what you think about your car?
I own a Mazda 6 (Sport). It has had recurrent problems. It has been back to the dealers every 10k miles for major repairs. At 12K miles major engine problems. Needed a rebuild. At 24k transmission problems. The list is endless. The old Mazdas were much more reliable, the new ones have lost their way. One star because I cannot give it any less.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

1 out of 5

Car Details

Model

Sport Nav 2.2 Auto

Year

2013

Avg annual mileage

10,000 – 14,999

Owned

3 - 5 years

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

38
Tell us what you think about your car?
Pros Looks good. Comfortable drive. Generous kit. Cons Very unreliable. Broke down every 10k miles. Cam shaft & rocker assembly. Parking brake seized up. Engine oil vacuum pump failed. Exhaust valve broke. All in the warranty period. You have been warned!!
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

5 out of 5

Car Details

Model

2.2D R-Grade (Equivalent to Sports Nav)

Year

2016

Avg annual mileage

15,000 – 19,999

Owned

Less than a year

Bought Car

Used

Typical MPG

47
Tell us what you think about your car?
Gorgeous looking car. Very comfy seats for driver and passengers alike. Very easy to drive and suitable for long-distance driving. 47mpg with climate control set to 26 degrees Celcius. Big car yet very nimble in the narrow streets. Down side: - Parking is only possible with parking camera. - Best if the car has got full set I-Activesense available in my market. - Best if the brakes do have more braking power.
Would you recommend the car to a friend?

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