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Mazda carsCode DY

Mazda 2 I problems (2002–2007)

The only engine of the Mazda 2 I that we have documented, the 1.4 HDi, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution».[1][2]

Outside the engine: Away from the engine, the Mazda 2 DY (2003-2007) has a short list of defects according to the Gebrauchtwagenberater: rear shock absorbers that are sometimes flagged at the TÜV, suspension springs among ADAC's breakdown points and, on the 1.4 diesel, clutches that give the garage work. No recall is recorded in the German KBA.[3]

Mazda 2 I (2002–2007)
Photo: OSX · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468106.7out of 10

Mazda 2 I rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 8 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine5.75 faults
  • Gearbox8.61 fault
  • Suspension7.52 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Brakes8.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering8.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights7.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior9.1Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Mazda 2 I

  1. 1Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape1.4 HDi engine
  2. 2High severity: Timing belt and water pump1.4 HDi engine
  3. 3Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication1.4 HDi engine
  4. 4Medium severity: EGR valve clogged with carbon1.4 HDi engine
  5. 5Medium severity: Front and rear suspension spring failuresSuspension

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

5 sourcesHow we work

1.4 HDi

PSA/Ford 1.4 HDi and TDCi (DV4TD) · Diesel

In the 2 I
2002–2007[4][5]
Name
1.4 CD (MZ-CD)
Faults that affect it
5 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
43
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)2001–2009 · 54–70 hp · DV4TD, 8HT, 8HX, 8HZ

    With caution

    It shares the injector fragility of the rest of the family, documented in both the 68 and 70 hp versions, along with occasional turbo and EGR valve failures. It is worth buying with a maintenance history and no noticeable diesel leaks.[1][2]

Faults that affect the 2 I

  1. Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentInjectionInjectors that lose their seal and let diesel escapeThe most cited weak point of the 1.4 HDi is its injectors: over time they can lose their seal and let diesel escape, which is usually noticed as a smell of diesel in the car. It appears in the two most common outputs (68 and 70 hp) and in both cases it is identified as the engine's main weakness.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt and water pumpThe 1.4 HDi uses a timing belt (with an additional short chain on the 16-valve version), and Fiches-Auto documents some of its failures, along with the water pump, at around 100,000 km. We have not found the manufacturer's official change interval in a reliable source.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboPremature turbo wear from poor lubricationThe BorgWarner KP35 turbo of the 8-valve version can wear out early when the oil degrades and forms carbon deposits, reducing its lubrication. It is a minority but recurring fault: it appears in just over 9% of the reports collected for the 68 hp version.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlEGR valve clogged with carbonThe EGR valve, which recirculates part of the exhaust gases to reduce emissions, can seize or clog up with the carbon those gases carry. It appears in a noticeable minority of the reports collected for the 68 hp version.
  5. Medium severityFrequency: RareTimingCrankshaft damper pulley wearThe crankshaft pulley incorporates a rubber ring that dampens engine vibrations and that can lose grip or crack over time. We have found only one specific report of this fault (a Peugeot 206 at around 250,000 km), so we do not consider it a widespread fault.

2 I 1.4 HDi pageAll versions and faults of the 1.4 HDi

Faults of the Mazda 2 I outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Mazda 2 I

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,771 inspections of 600 cars registered between 2002 and 2006, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 13.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 10.7%.

    More defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 6.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 13.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 31.5% of inspections; in cars of its age, 29.1%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 3.1% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 8.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 13.9%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 6.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.5%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 17.2% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.4%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Mazda 2 I

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 1.4 HDi (2002–2007)

Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape

Medium severity

Timing belt and water pump

High severity

Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication

Medium severity

EGR valve clogged with carbon

Medium severity

Crankshaft damper pulley wear

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Mazda 2 I

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Mazda 2 I?

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Own a Mazda 2 I? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mazda 2 I reliable?

The only engine of the Mazda 2 I that we have documented, the 1.4 HDi, has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict for the version it is fitted to: «With caution». Away from the engine, the Mazda 2 DY (2003-2007) has a short list of defects according to the Gebrauchtwagenberater: rear shock absorbers that are sometimes flagged at the TÜV, suspension springs among ADAC's breakdown points and, on the 1.4 diesel, clutches that give the garage work. No recall is recorded in the German KBA.

What problems does the Mazda 2 I have apart from the engine?

Away from the engine, the Mazda 2 DY (2003-2007) has a short list of defects according to the Gebrauchtwagenberater: rear shock absorbers that are sometimes flagged at the TÜV, suspension springs among ADAC's breakdown points and, on the 1.4 diesel, clutches that give the garage work. No recall is recorded in the German KBA. The most important documented faults are: front and rear suspension spring failures (suspension, medium severity), clutch wear and hard-to-engage gears on the 1.4 MZ-CD diesel (gearbox and clutch, medium severity) and premature wear of the rear shock absorbers (suspension, low severity).[3]

What faults does the Mazda 2 I have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape (1.4 HDi, medium severity), timing belt and water pump (1.4 HDi, high severity), premature turbo wear from poor lubrication (1.4 HDi, medium severity), EGR valve clogged with carbon (1.4 HDi, medium severity) and crankshaft damper pulley wear (1.4 HDi, medium severity).

What is the best year to buy a Mazda 2 I?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2002 (7.5/10); the worst rated is 2003 (6.7/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Mazda 2 I (DY): Typische Probleme & MängelGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 13 February 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  4. Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Mazda2Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026