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MOT reliability

Mazda 3

164,058 vehicles · 2,055,194 completed MOT tests analysed
78%
MOT pass rate

Based on 164,058 Mazda 3 vehicles and 2,055,194 completed MOT tests, the Mazda 3 has an overall 78% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 90,915 miles.

164,058
Vehicles
2,055,194
MOT tests
7,368
Avg miles / year
2
Faults per test
3%
Dangerous-fault share

Mazda 3 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Mazda 3 MOT tests:

  • Other45%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension33%
  • Brakes14%
  • Lamps & electrical7%
  • Emissions & nuisance3%
  • Body & structure3%
  • Visibility2%
  • Steering1%

Mazda 3 pass rate by age

How the Mazda 3's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
112383%
25,39490%
3187,29789%
4184,30387%
5183,87685%
6182,59182%
7180,66580%
8177,12177%
9168,15975%
10154,97773%
11137,00972%
12117,90070%
13101,20069%
1484,61268%
1567,42567%
1649,73966%
1733,36165%
1820,77365%
1911,31364%
205,29363%

Fuel types: Petrol (138,206), Diesel (25,769), Hybrid Electric (Clean) (50), LPG (24), Other (6), Gas Bi-Fuel (2), Gas Diesel (1)

Most common Mazda 3 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Mazda 3 MOT tests:

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (64,228 times)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (62,213 times)
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (58,113 times)
  4. Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i)) (55,864 times)
  5. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (52,960 times)
  6. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (45,776 times)
  7. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (38,339 times)
  8. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (36,945 times)
  9. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (36,268 times)
  10. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (35,286 times)
  11. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (34,339 times)
  12. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (33,218 times)
  13. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (32,693 times)
  14. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (32,460 times)
  15. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (29,215 times)

Mazda 3 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2024 1 1 100% 61,666
2023 1,220 1,332 93% 23,476
2022 2,276 4,420 92% 29,631
2021 3,852 10,799 90% 33,868
2020 4,077 15,799 90% 38,628
2019 4,391 21,433 90% 44,425
2018 7,055 45,123 87% 53,080
2017 8,327 65,818 84% 61,944
2016 10,881 97,083 82% 70,483
2015 12,263 123,053 82% 79,158
2014 8,936 98,737 82% 84,861
2013 5,531 67,176 82% 86,635
2012 5,627 74,751 80% 98,542
2011 6,465 94,712 78% 104,559
2010 10,863 166,018 78% 110,183
2009 11,148 179,508 76% 109,401
2008 11,408 189,182 74% 105,650
2007 12,582 206,576 75% 110,910
2006 13,173 215,300 75% 112,208
2005 14,606 235,647 74% 113,839
2004 9,156 139,676 74% 111,833
2003 198 2,897 74% 113,207
2002 3 23 74% 66,394
2001 2 15 73% 128,280
2000 1 11 64% 149,051
1998 1 9 56% 150,057
1997 1 2 50% 163,590
1996 2 14 79% 108,839
1994 1 13 69% 47,136
1993 1 11 55% 179,565
1989 1 3 67% 205,054
1986 1 8 50% 67,305
1979 1 1 100% 15,016
1978 1 1 100% 34,611
1905 1 14 79% 80,849

Mazda 3 reliability FAQ

Across 164,058 Mazda 3 vehicles in our MOT data, 78% pass the MOT (a 22% failure rate), with about 2 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Mazda 3 MOT issues are: 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).

The typical Mazda 3 in our data has covered around 90,915 miles.

Compare the Mazda 3

See how the Mazda 3 stacks up against other Mazda models on MOT reliability:

3 vs Mx-5 3 vs 6 3 vs 2 3 vs 323

Check a specific Mazda 3

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Mazda models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks