All makes

Mazda reliability and common MOT problems by model

Mazda shows a 19.3% combined MOT failure rate across 627,488 tests in Motintel data. Cx 3 has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 9.2%. Mx 5 deserves extra checking at 18.7%.

Data sources: DVSA MOT records, official recall records, and MOT fault wording snapshots (2026-04-27, 2026-04-29, rfr_codes_2025-05-12, failure items 2023). Search-indexed model pages must clear 20,000 MOT tests and 10,000 vehicles.

Most reliable Mazda models in MOT data

#	Model	MOT failure rate	Tests	Vehicles
1	Mazda Cx 3	9.2%	27,457 tests	24,150 vehicles
2	Mazda Cx 5	13.1%	67,804 tests	56,927 vehicles
3	Mazda Mx 5	18.7%	112,300 tests	90,492 vehicles

Mazda models with the highest MOT failure rates

#	Model	MOT failure rate	Tests	Vehicles
1	Mazda Mx 5	18.7%	112,300 tests	90,492 vehicles
2	Mazda Cx 5	13.1%	67,804 tests	56,927 vehicles
3	Mazda Cx 3	9.2%	27,457 tests	24,150 vehicles

Common Mazda MOT problem areas

#	Problem area	MOT notes	Models affected	What to check	High-rate examples
1	Corrosion and structure	67,993 MOT notes	3 models	Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs.	Mazda Mx 5, Mazda Cx 5, Mazda Cx 3
2	Suspension and steering	29,746 MOT notes	3 models	Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced.	Mazda Mx 5, Mazda Cx 5, Mazda Cx 3
3	Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors	13,605 MOT notes	3 models	Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear.	Mazda Mx 5, Mazda Cx 5, Mazda Cx 3
4	Emissions, engine, and exhaust	12,849 MOT notes	3 models	Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs.	Mazda Mx 5, Mazda Cx 5, Mazda Cx 3
5	Lights and electrical	12,697 MOT notes	3 models	Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying.	Mazda Mx 5, Mazda Cx 5, Mazda Cx 3
6	Tyres and wheels	3,522 MOT notes	3 models	Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear.	Mazda Cx 5, Mazda Cx 3, Mazda Mx 5

All Mazda model reports

Model	MOT tests	Vehicles	Failure rate
2 limited data	152,027	119,861	20.1%
3 limited data	136,846	106,861	21.1%
Mx 5	112,300	90,492	18.7%
6 limited data	82,496	64,351	20.2%
Cx 5	67,804	56,927	13.1%
Cx 3	27,457	24,150	9.2%
5 limited data	16,762	11,735	29.5%
Bongo limited data	12,936	8,974	30.8%
Rx 8 limited data	4,056	3,172	22.8%
B Series limited data	2,405	1,796	27.1%
323 limited data	2,187	1,613	28.8%
Cx 7 limited data	2,159	1,562	27.1%
2 Gt Sport Nav Mhev limited data	1,817	1,657	4.6%
Unclassified limited data	1,506	1,084	28.9%
Cx 30 limited data	1,288	1,153	4.7%
Bt 50 limited data	1,269	939	25.1%
E Series limited data	1,142	836	26.1%
Cx 30 Gt Sport Mhev limited data	1,031	943	4.6%

Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.