Fetching MOT records from DVSA for 3…
Fetching MOT records from DVSA for 3…
MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Mazda 3. Check any 3 by registration number below.
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71.4%
Avg Pass Rate
-11.9%
vs Mazda Avg
21
Year Ranges
Average
Reliability
The Mazda 3 has an average MOT pass rate of 71.4%, which is 11.9 percentage points below the Mazda brand average of 83.3%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your 3 on the road.
The most common reasons a Mazda 3 fails its MOT are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened. If you are preparing your 3 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.
Typical mileage for the 3 is around 38,000 miles at 5 years. When evaluating a used 3, compare the odometer reading against these benchmarks. Significantly lower mileage than expected could indicate a clocked vehicle — run a free mileage check to verify.
Before buying a used Mazda 3, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.
How the Mazda 3 performs at MOT across different model years.
Based on 241 vehicles
1.7%
1.7%
34k mi
The most common reasons a Mazda 3 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.
The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.
Average mileage readings recorded at MOT tests for the 2003 model year range. Use these benchmarks to evaluate a used 3.
At 3 Years
22,000
miles
At 5 Years
38,000
miles
At 10 Years
72,000
miles
Compare MOT reliability across Mazda models.
Common questions about the Mazda 3 MOT and reliability.
Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.
Based on 6,228 vehicles
2.6%
6.8%
37k mi
Based on 10,523 vehicles
2.5%
6.3%
34k mi
51k mi
Based on 10,894 vehicles
2.8%
9.3%
35k mi
55k mi
Based on 16,874 vehicles
5.3%
14.0%
57k mi
Based on 19,447 vehicles
6.1%
19.8%
70k mi
Based on 25,341 vehicles
6.6%
22.0%
Based on 28,034 vehicles
6.4%
22.5%
123k mi
Based on 19,969 vehicles
7.2%
23.9%
120k mi
Based on 12,193 vehicles
7.5%
25.1%
116k mi
Based on 11,958 vehicles
7.8%
24.8%
131k mi
Based on 12,952 vehicles
8.4%
31.8%
Based on 20,171 vehicles
8.2%
31.5%
Based on 18,676 vehicles
9.3%
33.2%
Based on 15,655 vehicles
9.4%
34.8%
Based on 13,215 vehicles
9.3%
32.9%
Based on 9,982 vehicles
8.9%
31.0%
Based on 7,060 vehicles
9.4%
30.1%
Based on 2,124 vehicles
8.9%
30.9%
Based on 28,000 vehicles
0.0%
0.1%
22k mi
38k mi
72k mi
Based on 136,846 vehicles
74k mi