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Mazda 2 vs Mazda 3 fastback: reliability comparison

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

Mazda 2
78%
MOT pass rate · 146,943 vehicles
Mazda 3 fastback
67%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda 3 fastback (67%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 2 Mazda 3 fastback
MOT pass rate 78% ✓ 67%
MOT failure rate 22% ✓ 33%
Faults & advisories per test 1.7 1.0 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% ✓ 11%
Average mileage 76,654 mi 132,012 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 146,943 1

Most common faults

Mazda 2

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
  4. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  6. Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Mazda 3 fastback

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edges (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 2mm (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Headlamp aim too high BOTH (4.1.2 (a))
  5. Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken BROKEN AT THE BOTTOM (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  6. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid NO SCREENWASH (3.5 (a))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda 3 fastback (67%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 2 report Full Mazda 3 fastback 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.