Mazda Mx-3
From 531 MOT tests. Below average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement and the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 37 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 37 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 18 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 18 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 17 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 16 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 16 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 14 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 13 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated | 13 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 13 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 39.4% of Mx-3 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 28% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £182.
Mazda Mx-3 on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 41 scrapped or exported in the past year, a net loss of 41. At this rate, roughly 13.5 years until none remain. Now at 5.2% of its peak (10,332 in 2001 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 130 | 411 | +0 | -7 | -7 |
| 2025 Q2 | 137 | 411 | +0 | -4 | -4 |
| 2025 Q1 | 135 | 417 | +0 | -6 | -6 |
| 2024 Q4 | 133 | 425 | +0 | -24 | -24 |
| 2024 Q3 | 145 | 437 | +0 | -3 | -3 |
| 2024 Q2 | 151 | 434 | +0 | -11 | -11 |
| 2024 Q1 | 153 | 443 | +0 | -6 | -6 |
| 2023 Q4 | 156 | 446 | +0 | -0 | +0 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 63.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
Typical mileage
Half of all Mx-3s tested had between 57,731 and 107,228 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 80,531 median miles, the Mx-3 has 0.039 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Mazda models
| Mazda 2 | 74.5% |
| Mazda 3 | 75.2% |
| Mazda MX-5 | 78.7% |
| Mazda 6 | 75.5% |
| Mazda CX-5 | 84.2% |
Common questions
What is the Mazda Mx-3 MOT pass rate?
The Mazda Mx-3 has a 68.5% MOT pass rate based on 531 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Mazda Mx-3?
The most common MOT failure on the Mazda Mx-3 is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 37 failures. Other common issues include parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
How many Mazda Mx-3s are on UK roads?
There are 130 Mazda Mx-3s currently licensed on UK roads, with 411 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Mazda Mx-3 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Mazda Mx-3 is 80,531 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 57,731 and 107,228 miles.
Buying a used Mx-3?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 68.5% pass rate and an average repair bill of £182 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 39.4% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.