IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2010 Mazda 2 (DE)

Facelifted DE Mazda2 went on UK sale in November 2010 for MY2011 with Mazda's five-point 'smiling' grille, retuned suspension, Euro 5 engines including a 95PS 1.6 diesel and 1.5 Activematic auto, running to 2014 Venture editions.

What changed for 2010

  • •Restyled front bumper with five-point family lower grille and revised fog-lamp bezels, paired with updated dials, seat fabrics and dash trim
  • •Retuned damper valving, revised spring rates and added spot welds to soften the pre-facelift car's firm urban ride without dulling agility
  • •Euro 5 engine range: 75PS/84PS 1.3 and 102PS 1.5 MZR petrols (newly available with a 4-speed Activematic auto) plus an 8-valve 95PS 1.6 MZ-CD
  • •Special-edition-led UK run including Black (2011), Venture (2013) and 2014 run-out SE Air Con, Sport Venture and Colour Edition petrols

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Split front lower wishbone bushes, perished steering track-rod boots and uneven inner front tyre wear after years of urban kerbing
  • !Weeping rear telescopic shock absorbers and corroded steel brake pipes along the floorpan and rear beam on salted UK roads
  • !Exhaust emissions or DPF warning lights on 2010–2013 Euro 5 1.6 MZ-CD diesels driven mainly on short town commutes
3
Known Issues
0
Serious
3
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

ABS Sensor Failure

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

The ABS sensors can fail due to corrosion or wiring faults, triggering warning lights and potentially affecting brake performance.

Est. Repair Cost: £150–£250
Warning Signs:

ABS warning light, Brake pedal pulsing under normal braking

What to Inspect:
  • Check the dash for warning lights
  • Ensure the ABS light performs its self-test and goes out
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Front Coil Spring Failure

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

Like many cars on UK roads, the front springs are prone to snapping due to corrosion and speed bumps.

Est. Repair Cost: £150–£300 per pair
Warning Signs:

Clunking noise from front, Car sitting slightly lower on one side

What to Inspect:
  • Visual inspection of the springs
  • Listen for metallic pings when turning the wheel at low speeds
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Air Conditioning Compressor Failure

ModerateCooling System

The AC compressor can seize or leak, often leading to a total loss of cooling performance.

Est. Repair Cost: £400–£700
Warning Signs:

AC not blowing cold air, Grinding or clicking noise when AC is turned on

What to Inspect:
  • Test the AC on its coldest setting during the test drive
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2010 Mazda 2 (DE)

  • Favour the 5-speed manual over the 1.5 Activematic 4-speed automatic, which blunts motorway refinement and raises CO2 and VED costs
  • Operate central locking repeatedly from the remote fob on every door to catch tired latch actuators, and test aftermarket Parrot Bluetooth kits
  • On 1.6 MZ-CD diesels, demand proof of the 10-year/125,000-mile cambelt change and clean DPF history; 2014 run-out cars are petrol-only
2008–20092011–2012
Check a 2010 Mazda 2 (DE) by Registration