Occasionally, good cars are overlooked by the press and public alike and the Mazda2 is a prime example.

Launched in the UK in March 2003 it took advantage of its parent company Ford and used some of the best bits from the Fiesta, including the chassis and engine, and combined them with good packaging and Mazda reliability. The result was a small car that should have seen stellar sales but instead disappeared into a black hole.

Mazda’s misfortune is the used car buyer’s blessing, and with second-hand examples of the Mazda2 changing hands for just £4,000 it could be the used car steal of the year.

Available only as a five door, the Mazda2 provides buyers with attractive practicality thanks to the wide opening front and rear doors and a boot space unhampered by a loading sill. At 268 litres the boot is larger than that of a Fiesta, and the flat-folding front passenger seat makes it possible to load long items with ease.

With a taller stance than most small cars the Mazda2 also boasts generous headroom, enabling it to carry four adults in comfort, while the raised seating position helps visibility. Young passengers will appreciate the car’s low waistline and large windows that improve visibility and make car sickness less likely.

The Mazda2 shares three petrol engines with the Fiesta. The smallest is a 1.25 litre producing 74bhp, then the 1.4 with 79bhp and the 1.6 with 99bhp.

While none of these engines endows the Mazda2 with a sporty character it is the entry level 1.25 that is most fun to drive. Free revving and eager, it feels as quick as the 1.4 and manages a couple of mpg more.

By contrast the 1.6 litre Sport model is something of a disappointment. The engine never feels like it can be bothered and while it sits on attractive alloy wheels shod with low-profile tyres the absence of sports suspension means it is an effort to drive through twists and turns.

There is also a 1.4 litre diesel engine with 67bhp. It is the same as that in the Fiesta 1.4 TDCi, and while economy is impressive at about 60mpg in mixed motoring it lacks refinement.



Noisy at tickover and harsh when revved, you pay a penalty for all that economy.

The Mazda2 is not the most exciting of cars to pilot but it is one of the easiest. The gearbox, brakes and steering all feel about right and the well laid out dashboard leaves the driver able to focus on the road.

The list of standard equipment can vary depending on the model. One drawback with a 1.25 litre is that it comes only in the S specification, so you don’t get alloy wheels, CD player or electric front windows.

Move up to a 1.4 TS and you gain a single disc CD player and electric front windows. However, it will also add about £750 to the second-hand price and there is nothing about the bigger engine that can justify that.

At the top of the range sit the TS2 and Sport versions with alloys, air-conditioning and electric mirrors, to name but a few goodies. If toys are your thing then a used 1.4 TS2 may be your best bet, but at about £1,200 more than an entry-level car you will be paying quite a large premium for a relatively short list of equipment.

Despite the numerous shared mechanicals with Ford, Mazda seems to achieve better reliability than its friends from the Blue Oval. Exactly how or why this can be is something of a mystery — maybe Mazda drivers are kinder to their cars — but you would be unlucky to get many problems with your second-hand Mazda2.

Servicing is every 12,500 miles and the new car warranty covers the car for three years or 60,000 miles. Get one with a handful of service stamps in the book and the balance of the manufacturer’s warranty still intact and there are few little second-hand motors that can touch it.

Safety Four-star Euro NCAP rating for adult occupant safety and three stars for child occupant safety are good for a car of this size

Spare wheel Full-size spare wheel stored under the boot floor

Stereo Base models make do with cassette players only, but retrofit CD players are cheap to install Interior trim Some of the metal-look plastic trim is prone to marking so be sure to check it carefully

Front seat Passenger-side front seat folds flat for loading long objects

Steering wheel Adjustable for height but not reach

Transmission Five-speed manual gearbox is standard but 1.4 litre is also available with auto shift manual, which is in effect an automatic gearbox

Boot Superb access thanks to large tailgate and an almost complete absence of a boot lip

Security Remote central locking, engine immobiliser, deadlocks and perimeter alarm are standard on all models

Vital statistics

Model Mazda2 1.25 S
Engine 1242cc, four cylinders
Power 74bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 44.8mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 15.1sec
Top speed 101mph

The one to buy

Mazda2 1.25 S 2004 04 with 20,000 miles. Pay £5,395 at a dealer or £4,750 privately

Or for similar money

2002 02 Toyota Yaris 1.3 VVT-i
2003 53 Seat Ibiza 1.4S
2003 53 Peugeot 206 1.4 LX
2004 54 Citroën C3 1.4i LX
2004 54 Ford Fiesta 1.25 LX

Values