Mazda CX-3 MOT pass rate and common problems
89.1% of 37,552 Mazda CX-3 MOT tests pass.
The CX-3 passes its MOT 89.1% of the time — well above the average across all Mazda models, which sits at 77.9%.
The Mazda CX-3 passes its MOT 89.1% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mazda CX-3?
This is the average across every Mazda CX-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 eases gradually with age, from 92.4% at 3–6 years to 86.3% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 92.4% | 17,173 | 33,309 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.3% | 20,378 | 52,146 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda CX-3
The most common reason the Mazda CX-3 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 33.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 33.7% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 26.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 22.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 16.4% | Too low |
| Suspension | 14.6% | Fractured or broken |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 8.8% | Retracting mechanism defective |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 0.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Mazda CX-3: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda CX-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 CX-3 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 92.4% to 86.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 93.6% down to 88.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 33.7% of failed Mazda CX-3 MOTs.
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.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 26.4% of failed Mazda CX-3 MOTs.
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.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 22.0% of failed Mazda CX-3 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 16.4% of failed Mazda CX-3 MOTs.
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.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 14.6% of failed Mazda CX-3 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.4% of tests at 6–10 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.
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 3 — 74.5% pass rate
- Mazda CX-5 — 85.9% pass rate
- Mazda 6 — 75.4% pass rate
- Mazda CX-30 — 94.3% pass rate
- Mazda 5 — 59.5% pass rate
- Mazda Bongo — 60.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda CX-3?
- 89.1% of Mazda CX-3 MOT tests pass, based on 37,552 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda CX-3?
- The most common reason the Mazda CX-3 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 33.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda CX-3?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda CX-3 are tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda CX-3?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics; suspension. 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 CX-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.