Mazda 3 MOT pass rate and common problems
74.5% of 152,464 Mazda 3 MOT tests pass.
At 74.5%, the 3 passes slightly less often than the average across all Mazda models (77.9%).
At 74.5%, the Mazda 3 passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mazda 3?
This is the average across every Mazda 3 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mazda’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Mazda 3 tested at 0–3 years pass 94.2% of the time, compared with just 59.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.2% | 5,403 | 22,333 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.7% | 21,285 | 33,552 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.5% | 51,654 | 62,576 miles |
| 10–15 years | 69.9% | 43,244 | 91,451 miles |
| 15+ years | 59.9% | 30,878 | 103,754 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda 3
The most common reason the Mazda 3 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 54.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 54.6% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 45.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 30.5% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 23.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 13.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.4% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.7% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.9% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 2.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 1.5% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mazda 3: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda 3’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Mazda 3 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 90.7% to 78.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 82.7% down to 72.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 54.6% of failed Mazda 3 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 36.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 45.9% of failed Mazda 3 MOTs. 38.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 30.5% of failed Mazda 3 MOTs. 12.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.0% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 23.4% of failed Mazda 3 MOTs. 10.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 4.2% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 13.1% of failed Mazda 3 MOTs. 6.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mazda service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mazda models
- Mazda 2 — 75.2% pass rate
- Mazda MX-5 — 78.9% pass rate
- Mazda CX-5 — 85.9% pass rate
- Mazda 6 — 75.4% pass rate
- Mazda CX-3 — 89.1% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 — 94.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda 3?
- 74.5% of Mazda 3 MOT tests pass, based on 152,464 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda 3?
- The most common reason the Mazda 3 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 54.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda 3?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda 3 are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes. Rare on young cars, but 36.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda 3?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mazda 3's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mazda service history guide for how to check and keep one.