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Mazda 2 vs Mazda Rx-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 Rx-3
86%
MOT pass rate · 10 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda Rx-3 (86%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 2 Mazda Rx-3
MOT pass rate 78% 86% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 14% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.7 0.7 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 0% ✓
Average mileage 76,654 mi 55,173 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 146,943 10

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 Rx-3

  1. Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)
  2. Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
  3. Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)
  4. Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)
  5. all steering gaiters deteriorating
  6. Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 2 (78%) and Mazda Rx-3 (86%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 2 report Full Mazda Rx-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.