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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%. 3 deserves extra checking at 21.1%.

Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.

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
4	Mazda 2	20.1%	152,027 tests	119,861 vehicles
5	Mazda 6	20.2%	82,496 tests	64,351 vehicles

Mazda models with the highest MOT failure rates

#	Model	MOT failure rate	Tests	Vehicles
1	Mazda 3	21.1%	136,846 tests	106,861 vehicles
2	Mazda 6	20.2%	82,496 tests	64,351 vehicles
3	Mazda 2	20.1%	152,027 tests	119,861 vehicles
4	Mazda Mx 5	18.7%	112,300 tests	90,492 vehicles
5	Mazda Cx 5	13.1%	67,804 tests	56,927 vehicles

Common Mazda MOT problem areas

#	Problem area	MOT notes	Models affected	What to check	High-rate examples
1	Corrosion and structure	241,535 MOT notes	6 models	Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs.	Mazda Mx 5, Mazda 6, Mazda 2
2	Suspension and steering	113,118 MOT notes	6 models	Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced.	Mazda 2, Mazda 3, Mazda 6
3	Lights and electrical	67,192 MOT notes	6 models	Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying.	Mazda 2, Mazda 6, Mazda 3
4	Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors	40,385 MOT notes	6 models	Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear.	Mazda 2, Mazda 6, Mazda Mx 5
5	Emissions, engine, and exhaust	37,049 MOT notes	6 models	Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs.	Mazda Mx 5, Mazda 3, Mazda 2
6	Tyres and wheels	10,814 MOT notes	6 models	Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear.	Mazda Cx 5, Mazda 6, Mazda 3

All Mazda model reports

Model	MOT tests	Vehicles	Failure rate
2	152,027	119,861	20.1%
3	136,846	106,861	21.1%
Mx 5	112,300	90,492	18.7%
6	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.