2016 Mazda CX-3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 28,100 MOT tests, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 recorded an 86.6% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail at 14.1%, so the 2016 CX-3 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.0%) and suspension (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, wipers and brake pads — coil spring alone was recorded 759 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.0% versus 9.0%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.6pp more often than petrol ones (14.7% vs 13.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.0% | 1,134 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 1,070 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.3% | 915 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.1% | 878 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.8% | 793 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 593 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 759 |
| 2 | Wipers | 747 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 550 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 501 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 364 |
| 6 | Washers | 336 |
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 | 24.3% | 6,836 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.1% | 5,938 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 1,611 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.3% | 1,213 |
| 5 | Suspension | 4.2% | 1,183 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 690 |
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 | 5,658 | 9.0% |
| 30-60k | 14,546 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 6,409 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,262 | 20.1% |
| 120-150k | 186 | 20.4% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 22,194 | 13.1% |
| Diesel | 5,906 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,414 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 5,529 | 11.2% |
| 2023 | 5,689 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 5,694 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 5,774 | 17.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 CX-3
On a 2016 CX-3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.0% 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.
- Suspension (3.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (3.3% 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 2016 Mazda CX-3s pass their MOT?
86.6% of the 28,100 2016 Mazda CX-3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Mazda CX-3?
Tyres, recorded in 4.0% of tests, followed by suspension (3.8%).
Does the 2016 CX-3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.0% in the 0-30k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,100 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.