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Mazda CX-30 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 47,487 MOT tests of cars first registered 2020–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
91.1%pass first time
+3.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 87%of cars
47,487MOT tests

Verdict

The Mazda CX-30 passes its MOT first time on 91.1% of tests, 3.1 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (88.0%). That puts it ahead of 87% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2021 CX-30 does best (beats 88% of cars) and the 2020 worst (beats 86%).

Better than average on tyres, lights & electrics.

Watch these weak spots

Engine warning light1.4×as often as a typical car
Shock absorbers1.6×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.

80%85%90%95%345693%92%89%88%
Mazda CX-30Typical 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.

2020
Beats 86%
2021
Beats 88%
2022
Beats 88%

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 Petrol2020–202247,48791.1%Beats 87%A

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: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% 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: 0.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.9% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% 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: 3.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.8% 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: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.7% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% 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: 3.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.8% 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.Tyres+1.6 ptsBrakes: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.7% 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.Brakes0.0 ptsSuspension: 0.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.9% 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+0.2 ptsExhaust: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% 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.Exhaust−0.1 ptsSuspension: 0.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.9% 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: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.7% 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: 3.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.8% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% 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: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% 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: 1.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% 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: 3.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.8% 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.Tyres+1.6 ptsBrakes: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.7% 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.Brakes0.0 ptsSuspension: 0.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.9% 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+0.2 ptsExhaust: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% 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.Exhaust−0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 0.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
3.2% vs 4.8%
Visibility
2.5% vs 2.9%
Brakes
1.8% vs 1.7%
Lights & electrics
1.2% vs 2.4%
Suspension
0.7% vs 0.9%
Emissions & leaks
0.6% vs 0.5%
Body & structure
0.1% vs 0.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.0% vs 0.3%
Steering
0.0% vs 0.2%
Wheels
0.0% vs 0.1%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Engine warning light 1.4× 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.
  • Shock absorbers 1.6× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

75%80%85%90%95%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k95%95%92%89%87%85%85%
Mazda CX-30Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking1.8%3.4%0.5×
Windscreen wipers1.5%2.0%0.8×
Tyre tread depth1.3%1.3%1.0×
Brake pads1.3%1.1%1.2×
Headlight aim1.0%1.3%0.7×
Windscreen washers0.9%0.9%1.1×
Engine warning light0.5%0.4%1.4×
Brake discs0.4%0.3%1.2×
Shock absorbers0.3%0.2%1.6×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.2%0.3%0.7×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen15.4
A tyre seriously damaged15.1
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements12.8
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm11.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements9.9
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen9.2
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction5.4
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage3.4
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.

2022 Mazda CX-301 engine91.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol5,77691.9%Beats 88%A
2021 Mazda CX-301 engine91.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol20,98191.3%Beats 88%A
2020 Mazda CX-301 engine90.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol20,73090.7%Beats 86%A

FAQ

What is the Mazda CX-30 MOT pass rate?

91.1% of MOT tests on the Mazda CX-30 were passed first time, based on 47,487 tests between 2022 and 2026 of cars first registered 2020–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 88.0% of the time.

Is the Mazda CX-30 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 87% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Mazda CX-30 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2021 CX-30 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 88% of cars on UK roads. The 2020 does worst: it beats 86%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Mazda CX-30?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, windscreen wipers, tyre tread depth. Compared with similar cars, engine warning light comes up 1.4× 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.