Mazda E Series MOT pass rate and common problems
62.6% of 1,344 Mazda E Series MOT tests pass.
The E Series passes 62.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Mazda models (77.9%).
The Mazda E Series passes 62.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Mazda E Series?
This is the average across every Mazda E Series 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 stays relatively stable with age: 62.8% at 6–10 years versus 63.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (6) | 6 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 62.8% | 465 | 113,730 miles |
| 10–15 years | 58.6% | 174 | 130,644 miles |
| 15+ years | 63.5% | 698 | 118,112 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mazda E Series
The most common reason the Mazda E Series fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 73.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 73.5% | Not working |
| Suspension | 69.4% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 40.3% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Brakes | 38.7% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 20.0% | Unable to be completed |
| Visibility | 16.6% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 10.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 10.1% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 8.8% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.9% | Missing |
Buying a used Mazda E Series: what to check
These checks follow the Mazda E Series’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 E Series comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 62.8% to 58.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 64.5% down to 57.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 73.5% of failed Mazda E Series 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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 69.4% of failed Mazda E Series MOTs. 36.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 17.6% at 6–10 years.
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.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 40.3% of failed Mazda E Series MOTs. 22.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 11.0% at 6–10 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 38.7% of failed Mazda E Series MOTs. 22.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 9.7% at 6–10 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.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 20.0% of failed Mazda E Series MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
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 CX-7 — 66.2% pass rate
- Mazda CX-5 SE-L — 92.7% pass rate
- Mazda Eunos — 69.2% pass rate
- Mazda RX-7 — 87.9% pass rate
- Mazda Bongo Friendee — 74.4% pass rate
- Mazda BT-50 — 73.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda E Series?
- 62.6% of Mazda E Series MOT tests pass, based on 1,344 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mazda E Series?
- The most common reason the Mazda E Series fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 73.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Mazda E Series?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mazda E Series are lights and electrics; suspension; bodywork and corrosion.
- What should I check when buying a used Mazda E Series?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 E Series'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.