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Mazda CX-3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2015-20231 named generationSUVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Mazda CX-3 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Mazda CX-3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Mazda CX-3 by number plate

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on Mazda CX-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 CX-3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Mazda CX-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 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.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

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

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 CX-3's generation

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

CX-3 Mk1 (DK)

Mk1 (DK) (2015-2023)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

11.8% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

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

From 5,854 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 CX-3.

See every build year for the Mazda CX-3

By age

Mazda CX-3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Mazda CX-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
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
3,16410.4%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
7,87910.9%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
5,85411.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5,93016.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
5,17920.0%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,38322.7%

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 10 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Mazda CX-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

2nd of 6

2nd lowest fail rate of 6 Mazda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other SUVs

15th of 89

15th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against the UK average

11.8%

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

Fails less 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 CX-3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Mazda CX-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

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

    15.3%
    Advisory: 1,340Fail: 87 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    12.8%
    Advisory: 837Fail: 111 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 1,056Fail: 100 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    8.4%
    Advisory: 680Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    4.0%
    Advisory: 404Fail: 24 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 5,854 MOT tests on 7-year-old Mazda CX-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 CX-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 + Tyres46%
  2. Brakes + Suspension17%
  3. Suspension + Tyres16%
  4. Other + Tyres14%

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

Across 1,258 MOT tests on Mazda CX-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

96%of this model's cars first registered in 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

5 recalls in all

All 5 Mazda CX-3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Control logic which monitors the charging control program fails to divert electrical power away from capacitor in the EV
  • Low pressure fuel pump impeller might become deformed
  • Brake hose retaining clip may fail.

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Mazda CX-3 on these figures.

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

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 11.8% for the Mazda CX-3, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.0%, against 1.8% for the Mazda CX-3.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 11.8% for the Mazda CX-3, both built around 2018.

    1,815 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 CX-3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 6 Mazda models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 5,854 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 CX-3 ever sold: 29,389 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 5,854 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.