Mazda 3 vs Mazda Mv5: 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 Mv5
95%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda Mv5 (95%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Mazda 3 | Mazda Mv5 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 78% | 95% ✓ |
| MOT failure rate | 22% | 5% ✓ |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 | 0.7 ✓ |
| Dangerous-fault share | 3% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 90,915 mi | 150,538 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 Mv5
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)
- Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)
- offside rear tyre perished 185/60/14
- Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)
- Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all appear to have been stood (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Mazda 3 (78%) and Mazda Mv5 (95%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Mazda 3 report Full Mazda Mv5 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.