Skip to content

Mazda Mx-3 1.6i abs aut vs Mazda Mx-5: reliability comparison

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

Mazda Mx-3 1.6i abs aut
56%
MOT pass rate · 8 vehicles
Mazda Mx-5
77%
MOT pass rate · 162,634 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Mazda Mx-3 1.6i abs aut (56%) 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 Mx-3 1.6i abs aut Mazda Mx-5
MOT pass rate 56% 77% ✓
MOT failure rate 44% 23% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 3.6 1.8 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 0% ✓ 1%
Average mileage 119,741 mi 90,085 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 8 162,634

Most common faults

Mazda Mx-3 1.6i abs aut

  1. Fuel pipe/s corroded
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
  4. Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
  5. Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)
  6. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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 Mx-3 1.6i abs aut (56%) and Mazda Mx-5 (77%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Mazda Mx-3 1.6i abs 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.