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Mazda 3 vs Mazda 626 gxi se d: reliability comparison

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

Mazda 3
78%
MOT pass rate · 164,058 vehicles
Mazda 626 gxi se d
80%
MOT pass rate · 9 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda 626 gxi se d (80%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 3 Mazda 626 gxi se d
MOT pass rate 78% 80% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 20% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 0.9 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 0% ✓
Average mileage 90,915 mi 83,460 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 164,058 9

Most common faults

Mazda 3

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
  5. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Mazda 626 gxi se d

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
  4. Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)
  5. Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)
  6. Nearside Front front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda 626 gxi se d (80%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 3 report Full Mazda 626 gxi se d 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.