Mazda CX-3: what fails at MOT
35,000 MOT tests on the Mazda CX-3 in 2024, counted. 14% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
13.9% of Mazda CX-3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 17.4%, so the CX-3 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (3.1% of tests), brakes (2.2% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (2.2% of tests). It fails on seat belts and airbags 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 10,574 | 10.7% | 13.4% | 29,400 21,500 to 38,800 |
| 2018 | 7,833 | 11.3% | 15.6% | 37,100 27,300 to 48,300 |
| 2017 | 6,597 | 13.4% | 18.2% | 45,100 32,900 to 58,500 |
| 2016 | 6,757 | 19.3% | 21.3% | 54,700 40,800 to 69,200 |
| 2015 | 3,367 | 20.6% | 24.4% | 59,300 45,900 to 76,100 |
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 CX-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 | CX-3 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 3.1% | 3.7% | |
| Brakes | 2.2% | 2.4% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.2% | 2.1% | |
| Suspension | 1.6% | 2.3% | |
| Lights and electrics | 1.6% | 3.3% | Less than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | 0.2% | More than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.3% | 1.0% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.0%
- Wipers1.4%
- Brake pads1.3%
- Tyre tread0.9%
- Coil spring0.8%
- Headlamp aim0.8%
- Washers0.7%
- Brake discs0.3%
- Footbrake0.3%
- Brake pipes0.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.8%
- Seat belt: retracting mechanism defective0.6%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.4%
- Seat belt: not functioning as intended0.3%
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 edge10.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.6%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.1%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material2.0%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.9%
- Nail in tyre1.4%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.4%
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
- “Are any warning lights on, such as the airbag light?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Mazda CX-3's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.