2004 Mazda 3 · 3,374 MOT tests
2004 Mazda 3 reliability
2004 Mazda 3s fail 53.2% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 18 3 years (3,374 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 3s: 31.9%)
- 53.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 3s: 31.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 97,291
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,374
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 8.9% of tests fail here (211% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 60% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Mazda 3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics29.8%
- Suspension23.8%
- Tyres10.2%
- Brakes10%
- Body, chassis and structure9.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.1%
- Seat belts and airbags8.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 9.4%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 6.91%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Stop lamp not working 6.46%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.84%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 5.1%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.01%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.67%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (12.98%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.45%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.23%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.31%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.72%)
Other years
Every Mazda 3 year
The full picture: Mazda 3 reliability. Before you pay for any Mazda 3, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Mazda 3 reliable?
2004 Mazda 3s fail 53.2% of first MOT tests, 24% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 18 3 years (3,374 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Mazda 3 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (9.4% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (6.91% of tests), stop lamp not working (6.46% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Mazda 3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Mazda 3 shows 97,291 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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