MOT failures by make
Mazda MOT failures for “Stop lamp: not working”
Mazda cars failed their MOT on “Stop lamp: not working” in 1.03% of 1,069,099 tests in 2023–2024 (10,988 tests) — 52% less often than comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 2.15% of tests. It is the number 15 most common failure item on Mazdas.
Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto
- Mazda tests failing on it
- 1.03%
- 10,988 of 1,069,099 tests, 2023–2024
- Comparable cars
- 2.15%
- national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
- Observed ÷ expected
- 0.48×
- 73 Auto analysis · rank #15 for Mazda
How unusual this is for the make
Across all MOT failures, Mazdas fail 4% less often than comparable cars. On this item the gap is 0.50× narrower than that overall level, so it is a genuine Mazda pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the lights, reflectors and electrical part of the test. Nationally it appears on 1.96% of MOT tests.
Mazda models and “Stop lamp: not working”
The Mazda CX-5 is least affected (0.17× comparable cars); the Mazda Bongo most (1.10×). Not every model follows the make: the pattern is concentrated in some models. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.
| Model | Tests | Failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda Bongo | 21,062 | 3.32% | 1.10× |
| Mazda 3 | 218,529 | 1.71% | 0.75× |
| Mazda 5 | 22,878 | 2.26% | 0.66× |
| Mazda 2 | 254,455 | 1.18% | 0.50× |
| Mazda 6 | 129,324 | 0.66% | 0.31× |
| Mazda CX-3 | 50,909 | 0.16% | 0.23× |
| Mazda MX-5 | 188,374 | 0.61% | 0.21× |
| Mazda CX-5 | 128,119 | 0.16% | 0.17× |
By age at test
The difference is most pronounced at 7-8 years old: 0.27% of Mazda tests against 1.39% for comparable cars.
| Age (years) | Mazda tests | Mazda | Comparable cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 128,683 | 0.11% | 0.22% |
| 5-6 | 147,920 | 0.17% | 0.65% |
| 7-8 | 163,548 | 0.27% | 1.39% |
| 9-10 | 122,603 | 0.54% | 2.25% |
| 11-12 | 103,859 | 1.33% | 2.98% |
| 13-15 | 180,441 | 2.12% | 3.81% |
| 16+ | 181,916 | 2.35% | 3.67% |
Other Mazda MOT faults that stand out
- Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn · 1.90× comparable cars
- Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength · 1.97× comparable cars
Limitations
Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Mazda tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.
Has this Mazda failed on it before?
Enter a registration to see that car’s own MOT history, advisories and the running costs 73 Auto expects. 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
Where these figures come from
- Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.
Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.