Mazda 3 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 110,072 MOT tests on the Mazda 3 carried out in 2023. 32% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 3s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2004 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2013 models did best (73% passed, +4.4 points against the average for 10-year-old cars), while 2004 models fared worst (48%, −8.5 points). Tested cars had covered 71,313 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 14.6% of tests (noticeably above the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.7% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 110,072
- First-time pass rate
- 68%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −3.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 71,313
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular 3?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
3 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 110 | 92% | 91% | +1.0 points | 19,407 |
| 2020 | 4,334 | 90% | 88% | +2.7 points | 21,054 |
| 2019 | 4,435 | 90% | 86% | +4.2 points | 26,667 |
| 2018 | 7,071 | 85% | 84% | +0.4 points | 35,243 |
| 2017 | 8,227 | 77% | 82% | −4.5 points | 44,424 |
| 2016 | 10,687 | 75% | 79% | −3.2 points | 53,981 |
| 2015 | 11,898 | 75% | 75% | −0.6 points | 63,185 |
| 2014 | 8,499 | 73% | 72% | +1.3 points | 68,657 |
| 2013 | 5,254 | 73% | 68% | +4.4 points | 72,439 |
| 2012 | 5,116 | 68% | 66% | +1.9 points | 83,283 |
| 2011 | 5,625 | 61% | 63% | −1.5 points | 87,511 |
| 2010 | 8,741 | 60% | 60% | −0.8 points | 94,636 |
| 2009 | 8,221 | 57% | 59% | −2.3 points | 95,678 |
| 2008 | 6,979 | 51% | 57% | −6.1 points | 96,909 |
| 2007 | 5,985 | 52% | 57% | −4.8 points | 101,419 |
| 2006 | 4,595 | 51% | 56% | −5.4 points | 103,654 |
| 2005 | 3,290 | 49% | 56% | −7.6 points | 103,723 |
| 2004 | 987 | 48% | 56% | −8.5 points | 97,722 |
Why the Mazda 3 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | 3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 14.6% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 10.8% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 7.3% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 6.6% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 4.2% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 2.3% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.8% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 1.8% |
| Road Wheels | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.7%
- 2ball joint excessively worn5.7%
- 3fractured or broken4.6%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- 6inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.6%
- 7does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
- 8ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid1.5%
- 10not working on dipped beam1.4%
Common 3 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used 3, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.8% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 11.7% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 10.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 9.8% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 8.4% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 7.7% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.9% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 3.8% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.6% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.5% |
Tips to help your 3 pass
Based on where 3s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 10.8% of 3 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 7.3% of 3 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the 3 ULEZ compliant? See the Mazda 3 ULEZ check, or view all Mazda models.
Other Mazda models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 110,072 first MOT tests of the Mazda 3 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 110,072 first MOT tests of the Mazda 3.
What is the Mazda 3 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 32% of 110,072 first MOT attempts on the Mazda 3 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Mazda 3 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (14.6% of tests), lights and electrics (10.8% of tests), brakes (7.3% of tests).
Which 3 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2013 cars performed best: 73% passed first time, +4.4 points against the average for 10-year-old cars. The weakest was 2004, at 48% (−8.5 points).
How many miles had a typical Mazda 3 covered at its MOT?
The average was 71,313 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 19,407 miles and 2004 cars 97,722.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Mazda 3?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.8% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.6% of 3s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific 3's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 110,072 3s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 48% to 92% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any 3's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.