2018 Mazda CX-3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 30,212 MOT tests, the 2018 Mazda CX-3 recorded a 93.2% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 9.9% of the time, so this is 3.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.3%) and visibility (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, brake pads and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 839 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.1% in the 0-30k band and 14.8% in the 90-120k band, a 10.7-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.6pp more often than petrol ones (9.2% vs 6.6%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 4.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.3% | 983 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 831 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.2% | 654 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 527 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 169 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 63 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 839 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 462 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 409 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 385 |
| 5 | Washers | 195 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 126 |
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 | 20.6% | 6,223 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.1% | 5,157 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.5% | 1,651 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 1,037 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 491 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 325 |
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 | 15,100 | 4.1% |
| 30-60k | 12,615 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,229 | 12.3% |
| 90-120k | 236 | 14.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 27,518 | 6.6% |
| Diesel | 2,694 | 9.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,986 | 4.0% |
| 2022 | 5,987 | 5.3% |
| 2023 | 6,080 | 7.2% |
| 2024 | 6,035 | 8.4% |
| 2025 | 6,124 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2018 CX-3
On a 2018 CX-3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% 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.
- Brakes (2.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2018 Mazda CX-3s pass their MOT?
93.2% of the 30,212 2018 Mazda CX-3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Mazda CX-3?
Tyres, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2018 CX-3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.1% in the 0-30k band to 14.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,212 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.