Mazda 3: what fails at MOT
150,000 MOT tests on the Mazda 3 in 2024, counted. 30.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
30.9% of Mazda 3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.1%, so the 3 is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (10% of tests), lights and electrics (7.8% of tests) and brakes (5.3% of tests). It fails on suspension more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,382 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 21,100 14,700 to 29,100 |
| 2020 | 6,534 | 10.2% | 11.5% | 25,300 18,100 to 34,300 |
| 2019 | 6,596 | 12.6% | 13.4% | 31,400 22,800 to 42,100 |
| 2018 | 9,759 | 16.1% | 15.6% | 39,900 28,900 to 52,900 |
| 2017 | 11,122 | 22.1% | 18.2% | 48,600 35,800 to 64,100 |
| 2016 | 14,481 | 24.9% | 21.3% | 58,700 42,900 to 75,900 |
| 2015 | 15,838 | 25.8% | 24.4% | 67,600 51,300 to 86,400 |
| 2014 | 11,243 | 27.2% | 27.7% | 73,300 54,300 to 93,400 |
| 2013 | 6,829 | 30.6% | 30.6% | 77,000 57,900 to 97,000 |
| 2012 | 6,721 | 33.1% | 33.4% | 87,600 67,100 to 108,800 |
| 2011 | 7,245 | 40.3% | 36.1% | 91,100 71,700 to 113,600 |
| 2010 | 11,224 | 41.0% | 38.6% | 98,200 77,500 to 120,300 |
| 2009 | 10,256 | 44.9% | 39.8% | 99,600 76,500 to 122,200 |
| 2008 | 8,512 | 49.4% | 41.5% | 99,300 78,100 to 122,300 |
| 2007 | 7,128 | 49.4% | 41.5% | 104,000 81,500 to 128,000 |
| 2006 | 5,301 | 51.3% | 42.4% | 105,600 82,500 to 129,000 |
| 2005 | 3,730 | 52.3% | 42.2% | 102,900 81,100 to 129,100 |
| 2004 | 1,090 | 55.1% | 42.3% | 99,900 74,000 to 123,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Mazda 3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | 3 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 10.0% | 6.4% |
| Lights and electrics | 7.8% | 7.8% |
| Brakes | 5.3% | 4.7% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.1% | 3.1% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.4% | 2.2% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 1.5% | 2.4% |
| Steering Less than most | 0.5% | 1.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Ball joint3.5%
- Tyre3.2%
- Side light3.0%
- Coil spring2.9%
- Brake pads2.5%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Tyre tread1.9%
- Engine warning light1.8%
- Headlamp1.7%
- Washers1.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.3%
- Side light: not working2.9%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Brake light: not working1.2%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.1%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.5%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened5.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.2%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened3.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.3%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Mazda 3's own MOT record
Looking at a 3? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.