Faults:

DPF clogged all the time even with regular oil changes and long drives.

Injectors failed and leaked.

Flywheel rattled.

Major rust EVERYWHERE in its last few years, leading to MOT advisory for repair. But the repairs kept on coming! It never stopped rusting no matter how hard I tried to wash, wax and take care of the bodywork and underside.

General Comments:

Good points about the Mazda 6 from 2002 - 2007 ... seriously good looking car. Inside and out, very stylish.

Nice to drive, 2.0 diesel is fast and economical.

Interior well equipped on TS model.

The bad points? Oh my God where to begin. I can only agree with reviews on here and elsewhere on the internet about this car. One of the most unreliable cars I ever had. Took out a long payment plan (mistake, never again) when it was only seven years old with low miles so that's why I persevered with it for a few years (I'd have sold it long ago if bought cash) but this was trouble from the start! Constant DPF problems, expensive to correct as well. I have heard the petrol engines are better, but I'd still be wary.

And the rust was among some of the worst I ever seen on a modern post 2000 era car. Put me off Mazda forever! Never again. Happily scrapped it in 2018.

Faults:

DPF, clutch and DMF noise, brake discs, exhaust, suspension springs, rust starting at wheel arch, etc.

General Comments:

Good looking car, the last of the older generation Mazda 6. I had this car for a couple of years when it was only about 5 years old and low mileage.

Seriously fun to drive for a family car. Engine pulled strong while still doing around 47 MPG. 6 speed manual was fun to use.

Interior nice, stylish and comfortable. Seats very supportive. Bit of a blind spot when reversing, but you get used to it as per modern car.

So it was a good looking and economical fun to drive car, but I dunno if I'd buy another - there was already rust at 5 years old and the DPF was expensive to replace; the car was heading towards the typical diesel faults by the time I was getting rid of it. Mazda main dealer was terrible and always overcharged. In the end I had to find an independent mechanic to fix it cheaper, but he recommended I get rid of it, the diesel version of this car is nothing but trouble as it ages, I can only recommend a petrol Mazda 6.

Faults:

ABS sensors, rear windows inoperative, generally smaller electrical faults, but never too expensive to repair.

Mechanically the car has been OK; at the age and mileage over my ownership I have obviously replaced brake discs and pads a couple of times, rear and centre exhaust, etc.

Engine a little noisier now but no major problems, I keep it serviced on time.

Cosmetically the car is nowhere near as bad as Mazda cars from this time period seem to be - only very minor rust spots, and no major rust ever reported under the chassis at MOT's. I do however keep the car clean and garaged which helps a lot.

General Comments:

Had this over 10 years now and it replaced my ageing 1980s Mazda 626 which was a dull but very reliable car.

This is a much sharper car to drive than the old 626. For a 2007 car, it still feels modern after 15 years. Interior has all the electrics you could want and is comfortable and stylish.

I have the 2.0 petrol which has excellent performance and manages to average 35 mpg.

Mine is a very dull grey colour but has nice alloy wheels.

In conclusion at the age and mileage it won't last forever and I will be sad to see it go, but will likely replace this car with the more modern Mazda 6 from 2013 onwards.