Mazda 3 vs Mazda Bongo city runner aero: 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 Bongo city runner aero
80%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda Bongo city runner aero (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 Bongo city runner aero |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% | 80% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 22% | 20% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 | 1.9 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 90,915 mi | 244,219 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 164,058 | 1 |
Most common faults
Mazda 3
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Mazda Bongo city runner aero
- Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))
- Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))
- Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
- Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda Bongo city runner aero (80%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Mazda 3 report Full Mazda Bongo city runner aero 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.