Small SUV · 2019–2021 cars
Mazda CX-30 reliability
The Mazda CX-30 fails 8.8% of first MOT tests, 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 12,650 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Mazda CX-30 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 8.8%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 23% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 12,650
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Mazda CX-30 ages
Each point is the share of Mazda CX-30s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Mazda CX-30 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.9% | 14.1% |
By year
The best and worst Mazda CX-30 years
2021 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 CX-30 | 2,181 | 8.1% | 26% fewer fails | 22,512 |
| 2020 CX-30 | 9,828 | 8.9% | 23% fewer fails | 24,471 |
| 2019 | 641 | 10.1% | 12% fewer fails | 23,625 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Mazda CX-30
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres3.2%22% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%19% below avg
- Brakes1.5%15% below avg
- Lights and electrics1.1%54% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks0.9%73% above avg
- Suspension0.4%35% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%75% below avg
- Steering0.1%56% below avg
- Wheels0%77% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.11% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.62% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.55% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.55% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.5% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
Headlamp aim set too high 0.34% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.32% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Mazda CX-30's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.51%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.16%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.67%
- Shock absorber light oil misting4.1%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.84%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.42%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Mazda CX-30
- 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
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.
- 3
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.
- 4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 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-30 covers about 7,200 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
- Petrol99.9%
- Hybrid0.1%
Most common colours
Red, Grey, Blue, White, Black
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Mazda CX-30 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus UX | 5.8% | 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | 28.1% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda CX-30 | 8.8% | 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru XV | 17.8% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kamiq | 10.7% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia XCeed | 12.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Tivoli | 26.6% | 53% 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-30 questions, answered
Is the Mazda CX-30 reliable?
On MOT results, the Mazda CX-30 is better than average: it fails 8.8% of first MOT tests, 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 10 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Mazda CX-30 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Mazda CX-30 are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.11% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (0.62% of tests). By area, tyres fails 3.2% of its tests.
Which Mazda CX-30 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Mazda CX-30 do a year?
A typical Mazda CX-30 covers about 7,200 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-30 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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