Mazda 3 se auto vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison
MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.
Mazda 3 se auto
84%
MOT pass rate · 10 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 se auto (84%) 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 se auto | Mazda Mx-5 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 84% ✓ | 77% |
| MOT failure rate | 16% ✓ | 23% |
| Faults & advisories per test | 0.0 ✓ | 1.8 |
| Dangerous-fault share | — ✓ | 1% |
| Average mileage | 66,520 mi | 90,085 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 10 | 162,634 |
Most common faults
Mazda 3 se auto
No fault breakdown available.
Mazda Mx-5
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
- Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 se auto (84%) 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 se auto 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.