2006 Mazda 3 · 15,446 MOT tests
2006 Mazda 3 reliability
2006 Mazda 3s fail 49.7% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 18 3 years (15,446 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 3s: 31.9%)
- 49.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Mazda 3s: 31.9%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 16
- 103,202
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 16
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 15,446
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2006 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does better)
- 2007 cars: 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does worse)
- Weak spot: suspension, 25% of tests fail here (46% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 69% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2006 car carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Common problems
What fails on a 2006 Mazda 3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics26.3%
- Suspension25%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.6%
- Brakes9.6%
- Tyres8.9%
- Body, chassis and structure7.3%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 8.92%
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 6.4%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.04%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.56%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Stop lamp not working 4.54%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.45%
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 (18.41%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (13.23%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.64%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (11.64%) · Brake pads wearing thin (10.58%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.06%)
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 2006 Mazda 3 reliable?
2006 Mazda 3s fail 49.7% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 13 of 18 3 years (15,446 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2006 Mazda 3 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (8.92% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (6.4% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.04% of tests).
How many miles should a 2006 Mazda 3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 16, a typical 2006 Mazda 3 shows 103,202 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2006 car?
A car first registered in 2006 carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
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