Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Mazda6
What to check on a used Mazda6, sedan or wagon, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- GH 2008–2012
- GJ/GL 2012–2025
Or get a checklist built for the exact Mazda6 you're looking at:
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Common Problems on a Used Mazda6
The most commonly reported problems on a used Mazda6 are a touchscreen that freezes or a screen that delaminates, worn suspension parts that knock over bumps, carbon build-up and exhaust filter (DPF) problems on diesel versions, coolant leaks from the water pump, and a slipping or harsh automatic.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
Infotainment Glitches
Owners of Mazda6s report touchscreens that freeze, reboot or lose the phone connection. It's an annoyance more than a danger, but on later cars the screen also runs the reversing camera and settings.
Connect your phone by Bluetooth and by cable (CarPlay or Android Auto, if fitted), make a call, play music and use the navigation. Select Reverse and check the camera comes up straight away and stays on.
Owners also report the screen's top layer bubbling or peeling, which stops the touch working. A software update at a dealer sometimes fixes freezing; a replacement screen costs much more. Ask whether it's had either, and price a fault into your offer.
Worn Suspension Parts
The rubber bushes and joints that locate the wheels wear with age and rough roads, and owners of Mazda6s report knocks, clunks and vague steering as they go.
On the test drive, drive over speed bumps and rough roads with the radio off and listen for knocks or clunks from the front. Feel for the steering wandering or clunking as you turn the wheel at low speed. Uneven wear on the inside edges of the front tyres is another sign.
Worn bushes and joints aren't expensive one at a time, but a full set adds up, and the wheel alignment needs redoing afterwards. Get a quote and price it into your offer.
Diesel Carbon Build-Up and Exhaust Filter (DPF) Problems
Diesel Mazda6s used mostly for short trips don't get hot enough for the exhaust filter (DPF) to clean itself, and soot builds up in the engine. Fuel can also get into the oil, so the level rises between services.
Pull the dipstick: the level shouldn't be above the top mark, and the oil shouldn't smell of diesel. On the test drive, watch for a DPF warning light, poor pulling power or black smoke, and ask how often the filter light has come on.
Ask how the car was driven and for receipts for any DPF or engine work. Repairs can be expensive, so if it's overfull, smells of fuel or shows a warning, have a diesel mechanic check it before you buy.
Coolant Leaks
The water pump circulates coolant to keep the engine cool. A leaking pump lets coolant escape, and an engine that runs low on coolant can overheat and be badly damaged.
With the engine cold, check the coolant tank is at the mark, and look around the engine for coloured crust or wet patches. On the test drive, watch the temperature gauge stays steady, and afterwards check for a sweet smell or drips.
Ask whether the water pump has been replaced, with receipts. A leak is a moderate repair if caught early, so price it into your offer.
Automatic Gearbox Slipping or Harsh Shifts
Owners report automatics that slip, change harshly or are slow to respond, often on high-kilometre cars or those that have towed.
On the test drive, accelerate gently and then firmly from a stop, and drive through traffic. Feel for revs rising without the car speeding up, thumps between gears, a delay into Drive or Reverse, and listen for a whine.
Ask when the gearbox fluid was last changed and whether it's had any repairs, with receipts. If it slips, have a mechanic check it before you buy.
Which Mazda6 Years to Avoid?
No Mazda6 year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
- GH (2008–2012). Every one is now over 10 years old, so condition and history count for more than the year: look hard for rust, worn suspension and leaks, and check whether a timing belt (if it has one) has been replaced.
- GJ/GL (2012–2025). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Mazda6 you're looking at, from its listing.
Mazda6 Inspection Checklist
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
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Before You Go
01
Exterior
02
Under the Bonnet
03
Underbody and Wheels
04
Interior and Electrics
05
Test Drive
06
Documentation
Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Take this checklist to the viewing.
Download the free PDFOr let Shufti tailor it to the car from the listing link, with PPSR and recall checks included.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda; Mazda and Mazda6 are trademarks of Mazda Motor Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What This Guide Can't Tell You About the Mazda6 You're Looking At
9+
recalls on Mazda6s built since 2008
22
common faults reported on Mazda6s built since 2008
1,758
owner complaints on Mazda6s built 2009–2021
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
A Shufti inspection covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- PPSR and government recall checks included
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
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Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them.
Buying a Used Mazda6: Questions Answered
Is a used Mazda6 reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Mazda6 years should I avoid?
No Mazda6 year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
This checklist covers the GH (2008–2012) and GJ/GL (2012–2025) Mazda6. Problems reported across them include infotainment glitches, worn suspension parts, diesel carbon build-up and exhaust filter problems, coolant leaks and a slipping or harsh automatic.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Mazda6?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre sedan with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services, towed, or been used as a taxi, rideshare or fleet car. Check the history for regular servicing, and on a hybrid ask for a battery health check.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Mazda6?
It's worth it if you can. A mechanic can spot hidden crash repairs, worn suspension and gearbox problems that are easy to miss on a short test drive. Most buyers don't book one, though, so whatever you decide, check the car thoroughly yourself with this checklist first. See Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?
How do I check a used Mazda6 for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off, and costs $2. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | This Guide Free the basics, on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
PPSR and government recall checks | Yes | No | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
See it for yourself. Open the free sample report in the app, no sign-up needed.
Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the general used car inspection checklist or browse every inspection checklist.