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Mazda 3 fastback vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda 3 fastback
67%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 fastback (67%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 3 fastback Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 67% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 33% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.0 ✓ 1.8
Dangerous-fault share 11% 1% ✓
Average mileage 132,012 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 162,634

Most common faults

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))

Mazda Mx-5

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  4. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 fastback (67%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 3 fastback report Full Mazda Mx-5 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.