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Mazda 2 vs Mazda Mazda 3: 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 Mazda 3
74%
MOT pass rate · 13 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda Mazda 3 (74%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 2 Mazda Mazda 3
MOT pass rate 78% ✓ 74%
MOT failure rate 22% ✓ 26%
Faults & advisories per test 1.7 ✓ 2.2
Dangerous-fault share 3% 1% ✓
Average mileage 76,654 mi 96,711 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 146,943 13

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 Mazda 3

  1. Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  4. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  5. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda Mazda 3 (74%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 2 report Full Mazda 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.