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Mazda 3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present4 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Mazda 3 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Mazda 3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Mazda 3 by number plate

Key figure

18% of MOT tests on Mazda 3 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mazda 3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mazda 3's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your 3's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

3 Mk4 (BP)

Mk4 (BP) (2019-present)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

11.3% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 5,054 MOT tests at this ageView details →
3 Mk3 (BM/BN)

Mk3 (BM/BN) (2014-2018)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

21.4% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 4,738 MOT tests at this ageView details →
3 Mk2 (BL)

Mk2 (BL) (2009-2013)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

27.8% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 2,462 MOT tests at this ageView details →
3 Mk1 (BK)

Mk1 (BK) (2004-2008)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

34.2% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 6,725 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Mazda 3.

See every build year for the Mazda 3

Side-by-side

Mazda 3 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (BP) (2019-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings11.3%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 5,054 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (BM/BN) (2014-2018)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings21.4%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 4,738 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (BL) (2009-2013)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings27.8%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 2,462 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (BK) (2004-2008)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings34.2%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 6,725 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the 3, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Mazda 3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mazda 3 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
3,6058.7%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
4,81110.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
5,05411.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
5,72912.4%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
8,89917.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
11,42321.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
13,56121.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
14,22323.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
8,84123.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
6,45025.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6,73728.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,84430.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10,10030.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
8,59633.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
6,72534.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5,26734.2%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,49735.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,85236.5%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
38533.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Mazda 3 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Mazda models

6th of 6

Among the highest fail rates of the 6 Mazda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other hatchbacks

50th of 84

50th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

17.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Mazda 3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mazda 3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    17.2%
    Advisory: 1,683Fail: 280 (14% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.3%
    Advisory: 1,935Fail: 151 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.4%
    Advisory: 1,785Fail: 219 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.3%
    Advisory: 1,361Fail: 7 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    9.1%
    Advisory: 1,604Fail: 174 (10% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,899 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mazda 3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Mazda 3 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres45%
  2. Brakes + Suspension22%
  3. Suspension + Tyres20%
  4. Brakes + Other15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,511 MOT tests on Mazda 3 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

93%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

25 recalls in all

24 of the 25 Mazda 3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 23 more

Top concerns

  • Injector mounting nuts tightening force may be insufficient
  • Mounting points for seat runner may fail
  • Engine may stall

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 17.7% for the Mazda 3, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.5%, against 17.7% for the Mazda 3, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.1%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 10.5%, against 17.7% for the Mazda 3, both built around 2018.

    3,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.1%, against 17.7% for the Mazda 3, both built around 2018.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,367 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Mazda 3 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has among the highest fail rates of the 6 Mazda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 8,899 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Mazda 3 ever sold: 134,599 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 8,899 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.