Family hatchback · 2003–2021 cars

Mazda 3 reliability

The Mazda 3 fails 31.9% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 358,442 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 43/100#38 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Mazda 3 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 31.9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 8% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 358,442; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,800; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Mazda 3 is a below-average buy on MOT results, so take care. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 31.9%, against 28.4% for all cars. It has 8% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and ranks 38 of 65 family hatchback models. Suspension is its weakest area, with 51% more fails there than comparable cars. Cars from 2020 did best, with 12% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Cars from 2017 were weakest, with 25% more.

A Mazda 3 can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Before you hand over money, look closely at the coil springs for fractures or breaks, the suspension ball joints for excessive wear, the position lamps, and the brake pads worn below 1.5mm. Ask to see the MOT history too. Take extra care with 2017 cars.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Mazda 3 ages

Each point is the share of Mazda 3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Mazda 3All cars

Mazda 3 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Mazda 3	All cars
3	10.2%	12.3%
4	14.6%	14.1%
5	18.8%	16.4%
6	22%	19.1%
7	23.9%	22.1%
8	25.6%	25.5%
9	27%	28.8%
10	30.1%	31.8%
11	34.9%	34.6%
12	39%	37.3%
13	42.4%	39.5%
14	45%	41.1%
15	48.2%	42.3%
16	49%	42.9%
17	51.1%	43.4%
18	52%	43.5%
19	53.7%	43.4%
20	57.8%	42.8%

By year

The best and worst Mazda 3 years

2020 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Mazda 3 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 3	1,289	10.9%	3% fewer fails	24,137
2020 3	7,453	10.3%	12% fewer fails	24,813
2019 3	11,855	11.2%	11% fewer fails	27,900
2018 3	23,924	14.8%	4% more fails	33,187
2017 3	27,618	21.4%	25% more fails	42,193
2016 3	35,841	23.9%	18% more fails	51,534
2015 3	39,659	24.6%	3% more fails	61,192
2014 3	28,289	26.4%	2% fewer fails	66,521
2013 3	17,372	27.6%	7% fewer fails	70,630
2012 3	17,030	31.7%	5% fewer fails	81,578
2011 3	18,680	38.3%	6% more fails	85,774
2010 3	29,131	40%	3% more fails	93,130
2009 3	27,250	43.5%	8% more fails	95,342
2008 3	23,126	48.4%	16% more fails	95,604
2007 3	19,927	48.1%	13% more fails	100,243
2006 3	15,446	49.7%	14% more fails	103,202
2005 3	11,136	51.8%	19% more fails	102,399
2004 3	3,374	53.2%	24% more fails	97,291

Common problems

What fails most on a Mazda 3

Its weak spot is suspension: 51% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension14.6%51% above avg
Lights and electrics11.2%6% below avg
Brakes7.5%7% above avg
Tyres6.7%5% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.4%9% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%8% above avg
Body, chassis and structure2.3%35% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%17% below avg
Steering0.6%68% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.9% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 3.74% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
3
Position lamp not working 3.72% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.91% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.37% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 2.04% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.9% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Stop lamp not working 1.61% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda 3's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.6%
Brake pads wearing thin10.47%
Brake disc pitted or scored9.15%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.81%
Sub-frame showing corrosion6.08%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.19%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Mazda 3

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
3
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Mazda 3 covers about 7,800 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol84.8%
Diesel15.1%
LPG0%
Hybrid0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Blue, Red, Grey, Silver, Black

Average engine size: 1.8 litres.

Compare

How the Mazda 3 compares with its rivals

Mazda 3 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
BMW 2 Series	14.3%	20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Corolla	32.2%	9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda 3	31.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Volvo V40	25.9%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Ceed	32.7%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai i30	34%	20% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Megane	45.1%	30% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Mazda models.

Questions

Mazda 3 questions, answered

Is the Mazda 3 reliable?

On MOT results, the Mazda 3 is about average: it fails 31.9% of first MOT tests, 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 38 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Mazda 3 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Mazda 3 are coil spring fractured or broken (3.9% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (3.74% of tests), position lamp not working (3.72% of tests). By area, suspension fails 14.6% of its tests.

Which Mazda 3 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (25% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Mazda 3 do a year?

A typical Mazda 3 covers about 7,800 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Mazda 3 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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