Small SUV · 2015–2021 cars
Mazda CX-3 reliability
The Mazda CX-3 fails 13.2% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 80,469 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mazda CX-3 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 13.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 17% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 80,469
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mazda CX-3 ages
Each point is the share of Mazda CX-3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mazda CX-3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.6% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10.4% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 12.1% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 14.5% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 18.6% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 19.8% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 24.3% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Mazda CX-3 years
2018 cars come out best and 2016 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 CX-3 | 20,169 | 9.8% | 19% fewer fails | 25,602 |
| 2018 CX-3 | 19,161 | 10.5% | 24% fewer fails | 30,833 |
| 2017 CX-3 | 16,332 | 12.7% | 22% fewer fails | 38,378 |
| 2016 CX-3 | 16,621 | 18.3% | 7% fewer fails | 47,186 |
| 2015 CX-3 | 8,153 | 18.6% | 16% fewer fails | 53,340 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mazda CX-3
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 311% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres4%20% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.2%3% below avg
- Brakes2.8%4% below avg
- Lights and electrics2.1%49% below avg
- Suspension1.8%30% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.3%311% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.3%68% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%78% below avg
- Wheels0.1%61% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.02% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.4% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.25% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.94% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.86% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Seat belt retractor defective 0.7% of tests
A defective retractor may not lock or spool properly, so the belt may not restrain you in a crash.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.6% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.56% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda CX-3's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.51%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.93%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.64%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.43%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.09%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.86%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mazda CX-3
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
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.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 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 CX-3 covers about 7,100 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
- Petrol87%
- Diesel13%
Most common colours
Red, Blue, Grey, White, Silver
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Mazda CX-3 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-3 | 13.2% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi ASX | 22.1% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Kona | 11.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Jimny | 30.9% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C3 Aircross | 14% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Renegade | 22.2% | 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZS | 18.3% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Mazda models.
Questions
Mazda CX-3 questions, answered
Is the Mazda CX-3 reliable?
On MOT results, the Mazda CX-3 is better than average: it fails 13.2% of first MOT tests, 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 13 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mazda CX-3 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mazda CX-3 are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.02% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.4% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.25% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4% of its tests.
Which Mazda CX-3 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2016 cars do worst (7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mazda CX-3 do a year?
A typical Mazda CX-3 covers about 7,100 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 CX-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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