Pickup · 1996–2019 cars
Mazda B Series reliability
The Mazda B Series fails 42% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 5,821 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mazda B Series before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 42%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,821
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mazda B Series ages
Each point is the share of Mazda B Seriess of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mazda B Series | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 42.3% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 39% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 43.1% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 44.3% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 42.7% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 42.5% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 41.7% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 42.3% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 38.8% | 37.1% |
By year
The best and worst Mazda B Series years
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 462 | 37% | 14% fewer fails | 103,081 |
| 2005 B Series | 1,259 | 41.7% | 5% fewer fails | 110,722 |
| 2004 | 635 | 44.4% | 1% more fails | 112,505 |
| 2003 | 893 | 44% | 0% more fails | 117,889 |
| 2002 | 856 | 42.4% | 3% fewer fails | 122,267 |
| 2001 | 443 | 41.5% | 2% fewer fails | 120,432 |
| 2000 | 631 | 42.2% | 2% more fails | 124,049 |
| 1999 | 401 | 46.1% | 17% more fails | 122,502 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mazda B Series
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 78% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.8%13% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure17.2%78% above avg
- Suspension14.3%15% below avg
- Brakes13.7%1% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7%7% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.4%41% below avg
- Tyres4.3%33% below avg
- Steering2.9%33% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.5%53% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Rear fog lamp not working 7.27% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.86% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 3
Position lamp not working 4.21% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.99% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.37% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too low 3.14% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 7
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.89% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 8
Stop lamp not working 2.87% 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 B Series's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy22.2%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit11.17%
- Chassis corroded but still rigid9.23%
- Number plate lettering deteriorating7.01%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive6.97%
- Wheel bearing slight play6.97%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mazda B Series
- 1
Rear fog lamp not working
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 2
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 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
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 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 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
- Diesel99.5%
- Petrol0.4%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, White, Red, Black
Average engine size: 2.5 litres.
Compare
How the Mazda B Series compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat Fullback | 17.5% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda B Series | 42% | about average for its age |
| Mercedes-Benz X-Class | 17.1% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pickup | 44.2% | about average for its age |
| Isuzu Rodeo | 44.1% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Isuzu TF | 43.3% | 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Musso | 34.9% | 98% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Mazda models.
Questions
Mazda B Series questions, answered
Is the Mazda B Series reliable?
On MOT results, the Mazda B Series is about average: it fails 42% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 13 pickup models in our index.
What fails most on a Mazda B Series MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mazda B Series are rear fog lamp not working (7.27% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (5.86% of tests), position lamp not working (4.21% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 23.8% of its tests.
How do I check a Mazda B Series 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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