2022 Mazda 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,633 MOT tests on the 2022 Mazda 3 are in this dataset, and 95.1% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (7.9% fail rate), the 2022 3 comes out 2.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.4%) and lighting & signalling (2.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 87 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 3.8% in the 0-30k band and 9.1% in the 60-90k band, a 5.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 89 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 63 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 34 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 23 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 7 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 87 |
| 2 | Washers | 25 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 18 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 5 | Wipers | 12 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 21.3% | 561 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 293 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.4% | 89 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 42 |
| 5 | Road wheels | 1.3% | 35 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 13 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,911 | 3.8% |
| 30-60k | 665 | 7.8% |
| 60-90k | 44 | 9.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 132 | 3.8% |
| 2025 | 2,495 | 5.0% |
What to check before buying a 2022 3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2022 Mazda 3s pass their MOT?
95.1% of the 2,633 2022 Mazda 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Mazda 3?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.4%).
Does the 2022 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.8% in the 0-30k band to 9.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,633 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.