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Mazda 323 aut vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda 323 aut
50%
MOT pass rate · 1 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda 323 aut (50%) 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 323 aut Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 50% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 50% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.2 1.8 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 1%
Average mileage 71,549 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda 323 aut

  1. o/s & n/s sills & floor sections heavily undersealed freshly
  2. o/s/r spring hanger rusty no rot when tapped with c.a.t
  3. Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
  4. Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
  5. Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
  6. Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Mazda Mx-5

  1. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  4. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Mazda 323 aut (50%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda 323 aut 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.