What to look for
Suspension: Some owners have reported prematurely worn suspension components, specifically shock absorbers and bushings, particularly on earlier models. Listen for any excessive knocking or squeaking over speed bumps and check the shocks for any visible fluid leaks.
Brakes: On cars driven in a spirited fashion, the front brake discs can be susceptible to warping, causing a telltale shuddering under moderate braking. This is often fixed by simply fitting high-quality replacement rotors and pads, which is a sensible upgrade anyway.
Air conditioning: Failures or poor performance of the air conditioning system have been noted, often due to a refrigerant leak. Check the air is blowing icy cold. If it’s weak, it could be a costly fix beyond a simple regas.
Infotainment: The system is generally intuitive but can occasionally freeze or reboot itself. A simple software update from a dealer usually sorts persistent issues, but it’s worth checking its functionality during a test drive.
Also worth knowing
As well as the 1.5-litre petrol, there’s a rare 1.5-litre diesel, available in pre-facelifted cars. It’s relatively powerful (104bhp and 184lb ft) and is the sole turbocharged 2. If you want something small to do a lot of miles in, it holds appeal and you can expect to average 70mpg. But on the downside, refinement takes a further hit and the extra weight affects the handling and ride.
Every 2 registered before 1 April 2017 will be £35 or less to tax per year, while all cars after that will come in at £195. The early line-up featured SE, SE-L and Sport Nav trims, all of which are well equipped. Later trims, such as Sport Nav and GT Sport, added niceties like a head-up display and LED lights, but it’s worth checking the spec of any 2 you’re looking at carefully, because there was a wide range of trims over the years with changing levels of equipment.
From 2022, Mazda also sold a hybrid version called, helpfully, the Mazda 2 Hybrid, but it’s actually a rebadged Toyota Yaris. So don’t confuse the two: the Mazda-designed 2 (the one you want for driving pleasure) was still sold alongside it.
