RegVerdict Model Intelligence
Mazda 3 reliability
MOT pass rates & common faults·151,769 DVSA tests·2024
Across 151,769 real DVSA MOT tests in 2024, 73% of Mazda 3 cars aged 8 to 12 years pass their MOT first time, in line with the 73% average for cars of that age. The faults that come up more than usual are in suspension and brakes.
73%
Average for its agepass first time (8 to 12 years)
Average for its age
In line
MOT pass rate by age
Up to 3 years
6,368 tests · fleet 89%
91%
4 to 7 years
33,915 tests · fleet 85%
84%
8 to 12 years
56,050 tests · fleet 73%
73%
13 years and older
55,436 tests · fleet 61%
54%
Where the 3 fails
Suspension91
Brakes94
Body & structure100
Steering100
Tyres95
Lights & electrics96
Fails more often on suspension, brakes. Holds up better on body & structure, steering, seat belts.
Share of 8 to 12 years Mazda 3 MOTs with no fault in each area; the marker shows the fleet average. OGL v3.0.
How it tends to age
How the Mazda 3 tends to age
The MOT areas flagged most often on Mazda 3 models 13 years and older. It is the model’s typical pattern across millions of tests, not a forecast for this specific car.
- Lights & electrics · flagged on ~16% of MOTsAbove average
- Suspension · flagged on ~16% of MOTsAbove average
- Brakes · flagged on ~7% of MOTsGrows with age
- Emissions & leaks · flagged on ~6% of MOTsGrows with age
Common questions
Is the Mazda 3 reliable?
On 2024 MOT data the Mazda 3 is about average for its age: 73% of examples aged 8 to 12 years pass first time, against a 73% fleet average. Give suspension and brakes a close look on any one you view.
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mazda 3?
First-time MOT pass rates for the Mazda 3 in 2024: up to 3 years, 91%; 4 to 7 years, 84%; 8 to 12 years, 73%; and 13 years and older, 54%. Pass rates fall with age across the whole fleet, so compare each figure with cars of the same age, not with a new car.
What commonly fails on a Mazda 3 MOT?
For Mazda 3 cars aged 13 years and older, the areas that fail an MOT more often than the fleet average are suspension (15.7% of tests vs 10.4% fleet), lights & electrics (16.4% of tests vs 12.5% fleet), emissions & leaks (5.6% of tests vs 3.8% fleet).
Other Mazda models
Check a Mazda 3’s full history