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MazdaUsed-car reliability

How reliable is a used Mazda?

At 7 years old, the average Mazda fails its MOT less often than the average UK car.

Where to start

The lowest and highest fail rates in the Mazda range

The Mazda models whose MOT tests at 7 years old most and least often ended in a fail.

Lowest fail rates

  1. 1Mazda MX-5Mazda MX-5Convertible · 4,934 MOT tests at 7 years old9.8%fail rate
  2. 2Mazda CX-3Mazda CX-3SUV · 5,854 MOT tests at 7 years old11.8%fail rate
  3. 3Mazda 2Mazda 2Hatchback · 8,722 MOT tests at 7 years old13.0%fail rate

Highest fail rates

  1. 1Mazda BongoMazda BongoVan · 170 MOT tests at 7 years old29.4%fail rate
  2. 2Mazda 3Mazda 3Hatchback · 8,899 MOT tests at 7 years old17.7%fail rate
  3. 3Mazda 6Mazda 6Saloon · 4,494 MOT tests at 7 years old16.7%fail rate

What actually goes wrong

What breaks on Mazda cars

The most common MOT faults across the Mazda range, in plain English. Models with more MOT tests count for more. The percentage is the share of MOT tests on Mazda cars that recorded that defect.

22.3%

Suspension arms, struts and anti-roll bar

A suspension arm, wishbone, strut, sub-frame, or anti-roll bar is worn, cracked, bent, or has excessive play. These structural parts hold the wheels in position and control body lean in corners.

MOT wording: Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

20.5%

Fluid leak

The vehicle is leaking a fluid — oil, coolant, fuel or hydraulic. A slight seep is common on older cars; a continuous drip is both a road hazard and a sign of something failing.

MOT wording: Oil leak, but not excessive

17.9%

Exhaust system

The exhaust system is leaking, damaged, corroded, or insecure. Exhaust leaks can let harmful fumes into the cabin and increase noise.

MOT wording: Exhaust has a minor leak

15.9%

Tyre condition

A tyre is worn, cut, damaged or otherwise not fit for the road. Tyres are the only thing connecting the car to the road, so this is always worth taking seriously.

MOT wording: Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

Across all Mazda models; models with more MOT tests count for more.

The whole range

Every Mazda that ranks, in plain English

For each model, one number: the share of its MOT tests at 7 years old that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. Lower is better. The UK average (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%) is shown for reference. Only models with enough MOT data at 7 years old are ranked. The rest sit just below, unranked.

7 models

Fail rates are the share of MOT tests on 7-year-old cars ending in a fail, retests included (DVSA MOT results, 2025). UK average across all makes at the same age: 16.6%. How we count fail rates

Looking at one in particular?

Averages tell you the odds across the range. Enter a number plate to see that car’s own MOT history, its risk rating, and what’s likely to need attention.