Name: Mazda 2 (2014 to 2025) | Used Car Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Mazda2
Rating: 72.0

Summary

The Mazda 2 (styled by the company as the Mazda2) was a small, five-door hatchback. It was removed from sale in 2025, ultimately replaced by a completely separate small hatchback called the Mazda 2 Hybrid.

This model was launched in late 2014, and received its first major update in late 2019. There were various limited-edition specifications over its, and the 1.5-litre diesel model was dropped relatively early on.

The car was given another facelift in 2023, which renamed the trims on offer, introduced some minor cosmetic changes and a higher standard specification.

The Mazda 2 received positive reviews from the UK motoring media throughout its life, although more recent reviews rated it lower than older reviews as newer rivals have arrived on the scene.

The 2 was praised for its comfort and fuel economy, particularly its SkyActiv petrol engines. However, it was also criticised for being cramped inside – especially in the back seats – and for feeling rather dated compared to newer rivals.

This version of the Mazda 2 was augmented and then ultimately replaced by an entirely different car called the Mazda 2 Hybrid. Rather than being the same car with a hybrid engine, the 2 Hybrid is simply a rebadged Toyota Yaris to help Mazda meet its EU and UK emissions requirements.

As of March 2026, the Mazda 2 currently holds a Used Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 72%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and CO₂ emissions, but its reliability record and media review scores are only average, and its safety rating has expired due to the car’s age.

Mazda 2 highlights

Frugal engines
Stylish exterior looks
Well-equipped as standard
User-friendly infotainment

Mazda 2 lowlights

Not all that fun to drive
Small boot
Cramped rear seats
Rivals offer more interior quality

Key specifications

Body style: Five-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £17,205 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2014
Last updated: Summer 2023
Ended production: Spring 2025

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Featured reviews

“Good looks, practicality and engaging driving characteristics mean the latest Mazda 2 is a serious contender in the supermini class.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 8 / 10

Read full review

Auto Express

Antony Ingram

“Like a mongrel at Crufts, it’s difficult for any small hatchback like the Mazda 2 to stand out in a world of hot-right-now small SUVs. However, the Mazda 2 has always been one of the best looking small cars on sale, more so after its 2019 update.”

Model reviewed: Range overview

Score: 7 / 10

Read full review

Carwow

More reviews

The Car Expert

“Is the Mazda 2 better than Ford’s Fiesta? The answer is no, but it’s very much a contender that supermini rivals, including Ford, need to take notice of.”
Read review

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“The latest updates can’t help the Mazda 2 keep pace with the latest arrivals in the supermini market.”
Read review

Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Mazda 2 is one of the best superminis available. It looks great, is more fun to drive than many rivals, and its frugal engines and high level of standard kit make it an appealing ownership prospect.”
Read review

Business Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel manual SE-L
Score: 8 / 10
“A great little package worth considering.”
Read review

Car

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual GT Sport
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mazda 2 is defined by what it doesn’t have, rather than what it does have. Less weight, less cost and no forced induction make it an unusually engaging supermini to drive. It may not be the obvious choice, if you want a nippy, analogue-feel, good-value supermini, this could well be it.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual 90hp
Score: 8 / 10
“While the Mazda 2 might still be showing its age next to brand new competitors, the tweaks to this supermini have made a big difference. It might not be the best all-rounder, but there’s plenty still to like, and you certainly won’t be disappointed with it next to much newer alternatives.”
Read review

Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.8 / 10
“The Mazda 2 is a supermini with neat styling, tidy handling and low running costs.”
Author: Ben Custard, Andy Goodwin
Read review

Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Nav
“The Mazda 2 looks stylish and grown-up from the outside and particularly good nose on and from the back. And it’s good inside, too.” (Richard Hammond)
Read review

Fleetworld

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual SE-L Nav
“While it’s an evolution not a revolution last time, the Mazda2 builds on its predecessor’s best qualities with improved quality and a more grown up driving experience. It’s an incredibly attractive alternative to the biggest-selling superminis.”
Read review

Motors

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“If you’re travelling alone or with just the one passenger, then the Mazda 2 is a refined and comfortable companion with plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel and well padded, supportive seats.”
Read review

Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.8 / 10
“Likeable Mazda 2 is a strong alternative to usual suspects.”
Read review

The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual
Score: 10 / 10
“A supermini that’s super, if not particularly mini.”
Read review

The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.5-litre petrol manual Sport Nav
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s feeling a little long in the tooth now, but the Mazda 2 offers a sense of lightness, dexterity and control that can’t be matched by some of its newer rivals. Trouble is, you have to live with a cramped interior, a whining gearbox and a noisy engine that isn’t all that helpful where you really need it. At least it’s cheap to buy and run.”
Read review

Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Handsome, good to drive and easy to use, like all Mazdas. But the engines are lacklustre and the cabin too dour.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: April 2015
Date expired: January 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 78%
Vulnerable road users: 84%
Safety assist: 64%

Notes on safety rating

The Mazda 2 was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2015. However, this rating expired in January 2022 as it no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Mazda 2 to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: 1.5-litre petrol manual

Overall score: 3.5 stars
Date tested: September 2021
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 5.9 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.9 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.6 / 10

The rating above only applies to the 1.5-litre petrol manual variant of the Mazda 2. It does not apply to any other engine/gearbox combination.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	58 mpg	B

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	112 g/km	A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	17	A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£134	A
Year 2	£395	A
Year 3	£623	A
Year 4	£844	A
Year 5	£1,191	A
Overall	£3,187	A

The Mazda 2 is a very affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The 2 scores almost a straight-A scorecard, with fuel economy scoring a (still very good) B rating. It’s undoubtedly one of the cheapest new cars to own currently on sale.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 21
Average repair cost: £636.65
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Mazda 2 has a better-than average reliability score, according to warranty claim data provided by our partner MotorEasy.

While MotorEasy warranty holders haven’t submitted many Mazda 2 claims, most problems seem to be fairly inexpensive to repair. the overall numbers are skewed by a few very expensive gerarbox repairs, with an average repair fee of more than £2,800.

If you’re looking at a used Mazda 2, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of the potential problem areas shown above.

Warranty rating

New car warranty information for the Mazda 2

Overall ratingE15%
New car warranty duration3 years
New car warranty mileage60,000 miles
Battery warranty duration0 years
Battery warranty mileage0 miles

Mazda’s new car warranty for the 2 was basically the bare minimum offered by car manufacturers in the UK, being three years or 60,000 miles, whichever came first.

The company has now upgraded its new car warranty to six years and 100,000 miles, but this is not retrospective and so does not apply to the Mazda 2.

Warranty on a used Mazda 2

If you are buying an ‘Approved Used’ Mazda 2 from an official Mazda dealership, you will get a minimum 12-month warranty included.
If you are buying a used Mazda 2 from an independent dealership, any warranty offered will vary and will probably be managed by a third-party warranty company.
If you are buying a used Mazda 2 from a private seller, there are no warranty protections beyond any remaining portion of the original new car warranty.

If you’re looking to buy any used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the [Make and Model]

2022

2018

2017

2016

Date: January 2022
Recall number: R/2021/435
Model types: All
Build dates: 10/2017 to 10/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 26,974
Defect: The impeller in the low-pressure fuel pump may become deformed, causing fuel pump failure.
Remedy: Replace the low-pressure fuel pump with an improved part.

Date: October 2018
Recall number: R/2018/256
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2018 to 05/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 1,362
Defect: Subject vehicles may be fitted with an incorrect purge valve bracket.
Remedy: If the incorrect part has been installed, the part needs to be replaced. If there is any evidence of fouling between components, the fuel pipe will also be replaced.

Date: April 2018
Recall number: R/2018/087
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2015 to 11/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 4,858
Defect: On the subject vehicles, the engine protection logic does not work properly. When the engine speed reaches maximum with no engine load present, the software is unable to cut the engine. This could, in extreme cases, cause catastrophic engine failure. Immediate and catastrophic engine damage may result.
Remedy: Re-program the engine protection software within the PCM.

Date: January 2018
Recall number: R/2018/017
Model types: All
Build dates: 04/2016 to 04/2017
Number of vehicles affected: 8,081
Defect: On the subject vehicles, the tolerances of the teeth on the handbrake sector gear are outside design specifications. This reduces engagement between the handbrake sector gear and the ratchet pawl and can cause the handbrake to disengage unexpectedly. This could cause the parking brake to release unintentionally and the vehicle to move unexpectedly.
Remedy: Replacement of handbrake lever mechanism.

Date: July 2017
Recall number: R/2017/203
Model types: All
Build dates: 05/2016
Number of vehicles affected: 650
Defect: Surface finishing of brake hose retaining clip may be insufficient, causing possibility of corrosion and failure of clip.
Remedy: Replace brake hose clips with modified ones.

Date: August 2016
Recall number: R/2016/186
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2015
Number of vehicles affected: 1,489
Defect: Silicone may have adhered to the welding surface of the roll-over valve (ROV) fitted to the fuel tank. The presence of silicone may have an effect on the welding causing the possibility of a fuel leak.
Remedy: Replace the fuel tank.

As of September 2024 (our most recent data point), there have been six DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Mazda 2 to address different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Mazda dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Mazda 2, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.