Skip to content

Mazda 3 vs Mazda Import: 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 Import
66%
MOT pass rate · 2 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda Import (66%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Mazda 3 Mazda Import
MOT pass rate 78% ✓ 66%
MOT failure rate 22% ✓ 34%
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 ✓ 2.6
Dangerous-fault share 3% 3%
Average mileage 90,915 mi 124,846 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 164,058 2

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 Import

  1. Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
  5. Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)
  6. Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda Import (66%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 3 report Full Mazda Import 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.