Is the Mazda 3 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 110,072 MOT tests, around 85% of Mazda 3s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 7% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 8%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 85% petrol, 15% diesel. Every petrol 3 in the data (2004 onwards) is likely to be compliant. Diesel 3s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 85%
- Likely charged
- 7%
- Depends on the car
- 8%
- MOT tests analysed
- 110,072
Check a specific 3
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
3 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many 3s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant109 tested | Likely compliant1 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant4,333 tested | Likely compliant1 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant4,139 tested | Likely compliant294 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant6,501 tested | Likely compliant570 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant7,065 tested | Likely compliant1,162 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant8,599 tested | Likely compliant2,088 tested |
| 2015 | Likely compliant9,504 tested | Check exact car2,394 tested |
| 2014 | Likely compliant6,653 tested | Check exact car1,845 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant4,043 tested | Likely charged1,211 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant3,315 tested | Likely charged1,801 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant4,487 tested | Likely charged1,138 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant6,795 tested | Likely charged1,945 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant6,965 tested | Likely charged1,254 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant6,687 tested | Likely charged291 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant5,775 tested | Likely charged206 tested |
| 2006 | Likely compliant4,484 tested | Likely charged110 tested |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard3,223 tested | Likely charged67 tested |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard966 tested | Likely charged21 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the 3
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (85% of 3s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
- Diesel (15% of 3s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
3s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (8% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Mazda can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how 3s fare at the MOT too: see the Mazda 3 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Mazda 3 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Mazda 3s in this data were first registered between 2004 and 2021. 2015 was the most common year, with 11,898 tests (11% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
3s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 70% of the time, at an average of 68,721 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 62% of the time with 88,370 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol 3s likely to comply are from 2006. 4,484 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 51% of the time and averaged 103,654 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest diesel 3s likely to comply are from 2016. 2,088 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 75% of the time and averaged 53,981 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the 3's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (5.7% of tests); suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (5.7%) and "fractured or broken" (4.6%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.8% of tests.
Overall, 68% of 3s passed first time, slightly below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 71,313 miles on average, close to the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Mazda models
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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 110,072 MOT tests say about the Mazda 3 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Mazda 3 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 85% of 3s on the road are likely compliant and 7% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol 3 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol 3s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel 3 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel 3s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific 3 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- 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
- Buying a used car · 5 min readUsed car buying checklist: 25 checks before you payA step-by-step checklist for buying a used car, from the checks you can do at home to what to look at on the day and the paperwork you need.Read the guide
Is your 3 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.