Mazda Mx-3 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Mazda Mx-3 appears in 1,380 MOT tests spanning model years 1991–2008, and 72.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.9% fail rate), the Mx-3 comes out 3.2pp worse. Its most common failure areas are suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.0%) and brakes (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 197 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.0% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.1% in 2021 to 26.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Mx-3 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 45 | 77.8% | 22.2% | Brakes |
| 1992 | 49 | 77.5% | 22.4% | Suspension |
| 1993 | 109 | 74.3% | 25.7% | Brakes |
| 1994 | 142 | 70.4% | 29.6% | Brakes |
| 1995 | 125 | 76.8% | 23.2% | Suspension |
| 1996 | 211 | 67.8% | 32.2% | Suspension |
| 1997 | 355 | 71.0% | 29.0% | Suspension |
| 1998 | 215 | 73.0% | 27.0% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.0% | 193 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 180 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 170 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 105 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 80 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 63 |
| 7 | Tyres | 3.0% | 41 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.3% | 32 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 197 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 91 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 90 |
| 4 | Wipers | 70 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 61 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 51 |
| 7 | Rbt (sp) | 51 |
| 8 | Joints | 49 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.5% | 504 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.0% | 483 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.7% | 286 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.1% | 250 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.0% | 249 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.6% | 132 |
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 | 41 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 289 | 21.8% |
| 60-90k | 441 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 368 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 163 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 363 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 319 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 264 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 234 | 26.9% |
| 2025 | 200 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a Mazda Mx-3
- Suspension (14.0% 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.
- Brakes (13.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Mazda Mx-3?
72.0% of the 1,380 Mazda Mx-3 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 28.0% fail rate, across model years 1991–2008.
What does the Mazda Mx-3 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 14.0% of tests, then brakes (13.0%).
How much does mileage affect Mx-3 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 17.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 32.0% for 150k+, a 14.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,380 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.