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Mazda 1500 vs Mazda 3: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Mazda 1500
71%
MOT pass rate · 2,960 vehicles
Mazda 3
78%
MOT pass rate · 164,058 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 1500 (71%) and Mazda 3 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 1500 Mazda 3
MOT pass rate 71% 78% ✓
MOT failure rate 29% 22% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.9 ✓ 2.0
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 3%
Average mileage 47,086 mi 90,915 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 2,960 164,058

Most common faults

Mazda 1500

  1. DETERIORATION ON FRONT BRAKE DISC
  2. FRONT NUMBER PLATE DAMAGED
  3. Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)
  4. Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)
  5. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Mazda 3

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
  5. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 1500 (71%) and Mazda 3 (78%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 1500 report Full Mazda 3 report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.