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Mazda 2 vs Mazda 3 turbo: 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 turbo
50%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda 3 turbo (50%) 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 turbo
MOT pass rate 78% ✓ 50%
MOT failure rate 22% ✓ 50%
Faults & advisories per test 1.7 1.5 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 0% ✓
Average mileage 76,654 mi 23,475 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 turbo

  1. Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)
  2. Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
  3. Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)
  4. Offside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting nut missing (2.4.G.1)
  5. Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
  6. Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda 3 turbo (50%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 2 report Full Mazda 3 turbo 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.