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Mazda 3 reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 939,967 MOT tests of cars first registered 2004–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
68.8%pass first time
−0.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 47%of cars
939,967MOT tests

Verdict

The Mazda 3 passes its MOT first time on 68.8% of tests, 0.6 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.4%). That puts it ahead of 47% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2013 3 does best (beats 73% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 24%).

Of its engines, the 1.6 Diesel does best (beats 51%) and the 1.6 Petrol worst (beats 45%).

Better than average on body & structure, steering.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.4×as often as a typical car
Suspension ball joints2.6×as often as a typical car
Brake pads1.6×as often as a typical car
Engine warning light1.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%60%80%100%3456789101112131415161718192089%83%78%72%64%57%53%51%50%
Mazda 3Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2004
Beats 32%
2005
Beats 35%
2006
Beats 38%
2007
Beats 39%
2008
Beats 31%
2009
Beats 47%
2010
Beats 57%
2011
Beats 49%
2012
Beats 67%
2013
Beats 73%
2014
Beats 60%
2015
Beats 53%
2016
Beats 32%
2017
Beats 24%
2018
Beats 55%
2019
Beats 81%
2020
Beats 61%
2021
Beats 60%
2022
Beats 84%
2023
Beats 93%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2004–2023395,96277.8%Beats 48%C
1.6 Petrol2004–2013376,28060.0%Beats 45%C
2.2 Diesel2009–201866,93173.6%Beats 51%C
1.6 Diesel2005–201352,65862.1%Beats 51%C
2.0 Diesel2007–201214,22759.1%Beats 47%C
1.3 Petrol2004–20089,76051.4%Beats 33%D
2.3 Petrol2007–20108,87868.0%Beats 79%B
1.5 Diesel2016–20178,04875.4%Beats 28%D
1.5 Petrol2014–20167,22375.9%Beats 33%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 13.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 11.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 11.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.2 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres0.0 ptsBrakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.2 ptsSuspension: 13.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.8 ptsExhaust: 3.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 ptsSuspension: 13.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 11.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 11.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+1.2 ptsTyres: 6.7% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres0.0 ptsBrakes: 7.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.2 ptsSuspension: 13.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.8 ptsExhaust: 3.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust0.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 13.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
13.7% vs 9.9%
Lights & electrics
11.4% vs 12.5%
Brakes
7.0% vs 7.2%
Tyres
6.7% vs 6.7%
Visibility
4.4% vs 5.1%
Emissions & leaks
3.2% vs 3.2%
Body & structure
2.1% vs 3.5%
Seat belts & airbags
0.8% vs 1.0%
Steering
0.6% vs 1.9%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension ball joints 2.6× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Brake pads 1.6× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Engine warning light 1.8× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Anti-roll bar links 2.0× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Shock absorbers 1.4× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%60%80%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k94%86%79%70%61%53%50%48%
Mazda 3Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights4.2%3.1%1.4×
Suspension ball joints4.0%1.5%2.6×
Coil springs3.7%2.8%1.3×
Tyre damage & cracking3.7%3.6%1.0×
Brake pads3.2%2.0%1.6×
Tyre tread depth2.8%2.7%1.0×
Headlight aim2.8%3.4%0.8×
Headlight bulbs & units2.3%2.3%1.0×
Windscreen wipers2.2%2.4%0.9×
Engine warning light2.1%1.2%1.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn66.4
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened37.2
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning35.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm30.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements28.1
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction22.7
A tyre seriously damaged21.9
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Mazda 31 engine92.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,48192.4%Beats 93%A
2022 Mazda 31 engine91.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,85391.4%Beats 84%A
2021 Mazda 31 engine88.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol11,70588.6%Beats 60%C
2020 Mazda 31 engine88.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol16,42388.1%Beats 61%B
2019 Mazda 31 engine89.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol19,81889.2%Beats 81%A
2018 Mazda 32 engines85.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol38,32285.4%Beats 57%C
2.2 Diesel2,54379.2%Beats 33%D
2017 Mazda 33 engines79.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol48,45580.4%Beats 24%D
2.2 Diesel5,81176.3%Beats 24%D
1.5 Diesel2,20075.9%Beats 23%D
2016 Mazda 34 engines78.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol65,63878.7%Beats 32%D
2.2 Diesel10,26476.1%Beats 40%C
1.5 Diesel5,84875.2%Beats 30%D
1.5 Petrol1,71075.1%Beats 10%E
2015 Mazda 33 engines78.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol80,87678.7%Beats 53%C
2.2 Diesel20,65876.1%Beats 54%C
1.5 Petrol3,14977.1%Beats 38%D
2014 Mazda 33 engines76.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol55,70377.1%Beats 60%B
2.2 Diesel16,17473.7%Beats 60%C
1.5 Petrol2,36474.9%Beats 47%C
2013 Mazda 33 engines76.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol34,26477.5%Beats 77%B
1.6 Diesel8,54872.2%Beats 67%B
2.2 Diesel2,10770.8%Beats 58%C
2012 Mazda 35 engines71.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol26,37373.4%Beats 70%B
1.6 Diesel11,45268.3%Beats 62%B
2.2 Diesel2,47270.4%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol1,97373.3%Beats 75%B
2.0 Diesel1,69168.8%Beats 65%B
2011 Mazda 35 engines65.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol34,91965.6%Beats 48%C
1.6 Diesel5,79564.2%Beats 57%C
2.0 Petrol3,50767.3%Beats 59%C
2.0 Diesel2,40361.4%Beats 42%C
2.2 Diesel2,09560.8%Beats 41%C
2010 Mazda 36 engines63.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol49,50663.4%Beats 55%C
1.6 Diesel11,76758.7%Beats 45%C
2.0 Petrol6,55769.0%Beats 72%B
2.3 Petrol3,61969.7%Beats 79%B
2.0 Diesel3,40763.8%Beats 64%B
2.2 Diesel3,00660.1%Beats 53%C
2009 Mazda 36 engines59.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol50,83259.5%Beats 46%C
2.0 Petrol8,40162.6%Beats 59%C
1.6 Diesel7,17556.5%Beats 42%C
2.0 Diesel3,65254.8%Beats 35%D
2.3 Petrol2,11966.0%Beats 72%B
2.2 Diesel1,80158.0%Beats 50%C
2008 Mazda 36 engines53.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol53,91953.8%Beats 30%D
2.0 Petrol5,57552.9%Beats 32%D
1.6 Diesel2,05750.1%Beats 26%D
2.0 Diesel1,62752.5%Beats 34%D
2.3 Petrol1,43867.7%Beats 83%A
1.3 Petrol1,08754.0%Beats 31%D
2007 Mazda 36 engines54.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol47,59254.4%Beats 38%D
2.0 Petrol6,64952.9%Beats 36%D
1.6 Diesel1,88150.0%Beats 31%D
1.3 Petrol1,71953.8%Beats 36%D
2.3 Petrol1,70267.4%Beats 85%A
2.0 Diesel1,44751.2%Beats 35%D
2006 Mazda 34 engines52.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol39,16252.5%Beats 38%D
2.0 Petrol8,18451.2%Beats 37%D
1.6 Diesel2,19953.8%Beats 49%C
1.3 Petrol2,07650.0%Beats 28%D
2005 Mazda 34 engines49.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol29,80750.1%Beats 35%D
2.0 Petrol7,81248.2%Beats 32%D
1.3 Petrol3,26251.5%Beats 37%D
1.6 Diesel1,78450.2%Beats 45%C
2004 Mazda 33 engines48.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Petrol9,90648.3%Beats 32%D
2.0 Petrol4,03047.6%Beats 34%D
1.3 Petrol1,61648.6%Beats 31%D

FAQ

What is the Mazda 3 MOT pass rate?

68.8% of MOT tests on the Mazda 3 were passed first time, based on 939,967 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2004–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.4% of the time.

Is the Mazda 3 reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 47% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mazda 3 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2013 3 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 73% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 24%.

Which Mazda 3 engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.6 Diesel does best: it beats 51% of cars on UK roads. The 1.6 Petrol does worst: it beats 45%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mazda 3?

The most common failure items are sidelights, suspension ball joints, coil springs. Compared with similar cars, suspension ball joints comes up 2.6× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.