MOT performance
Mazda CX-3 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 50,909 MOT tests of the Mazda CX-3 in 2023–2024, 86.2% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Mazda CX-3s failed 20% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively”, on 2.16% of tests.
50,909 MOT tests on 25,016 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 86.2% | ±0.3 pts (95%), n = 50,909 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.80× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 4.4% | n = 50,909 |
| Average age at test | 5.4 years | n = 50,909 |
| Median mileage at test | 36,450 miles | n = 50,909 |
| Vehicles tested | 25,016 | 2023–2024 |
Where Mazda CX-3s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.2% | -22% |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.1% | -10% |
| Brakes | 3.0% | -7% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.1% | -51% |
| Suspension | 2.0% | -30% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.4% | +311% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.3% | -69% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.2% | -80% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.1% | -36% |
| Road wheels | 0.1% | -51% |
| Steering | 0.1% | -92% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.16% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.74% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.53% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 1.16% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 1.14% |
| Condition: retracting mechanism defective | Seat belts and airbags | 0.83% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 0.72% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 0.68% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 0.53% |
| Condition: not functioning as intended | Seat belts and airbags | 0.44% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 12.42% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 10.86% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 10.72% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.43% |
| Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 2.57% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 17,008 | 90.2% | -22% |
| 5-6 | 20,421 | 86.8% | -24% |
| 7-8 | 12,818 | 80.3% | -15% |
| 9-10 | 653 | 75.5% | -16% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 15,220 | 89.9% | 0.79× |
| 2018 | 11,307 | 88.6% | 0.73× |
| 2017 | 9,719 | 86.5% | 0.73× |
| 2016 | 9,860 | 80.3% | 0.90× |
| 2015 | 4,774 | 80.2% | 0.80× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
Check a specific Mazda CX-3
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.