Skip to main content
Check

Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) (2019-present) reliability

At a glance

Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) built around 2020: about average at the MOT

Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) models built around 2020 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) models built around 2020 ended in a fail (retests included), against 12% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) models built around 2020 involves the tyres.

Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2019-presentSUVPETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

Based on 20,305 tests of CX-30 models registered 2019+.

About 1 in 15 petrol CX-30 cars registered in 2022 (7.3%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 5,321 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 75 CX-30 Mk1 (DM) MOTs (1.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2020 (5 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,114 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 30 CX-30 Mk1 (DM) MOTs (3.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2020 (5 years old).

Based on 4,114 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 (DM) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,0956.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
7,9888.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4,11410.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10814.8%

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 6 years old.

How the CX-30 Mk1 (DM) compares

At each age below, see how the CX-30 Mk1 (DM) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 31,124 tests across 8 Mazda models, built around 2020 (5 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateMazda average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,0956.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
7,9888.3%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
4,11410.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10814.8%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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 pads

High priority

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

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.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the CX-30 Mk1 (DM).

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    4.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.8%
    Dangerous
    1.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 4.9%, against 10.3% for the Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM), both built around 2020.

    1,790 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  2. 2

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%

    No clear edge over the Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) on these figures.

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

    1,475 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  3. 3

    Lexus UX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%

    Lower fail rate: 7.1%, against 10.3% for the Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM), both built around 2020.

    4,133 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    6.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 6.5%, against 10.3% for the Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM), both built around 2020.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,146 MOT tests on cars built around 2020

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.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 CX-30 Mk1 (DM) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • The powered tailgate may partially lower unexpectedly from the fully opened position in certain situations
  • Vehicles may unexpectedly stop due to inadvertent activation of the automated smart brake support (sbs) system
  • On affected vehicles the images from the rear view / 360 cameras may not display.

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

What has gone wrong on CX-30 Mk1 (DM) cars built around 2020

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 91 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
2%
Suspension
1%

Wear items

Tyres
9%
Brakes
3%
Lighting
2%
How CX-30 Mk1 (DM) cars have aged

How CX-30 Mk1 (DM) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%3456Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 7.4% (5,791 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.2% (5,094 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 6.0% (4,405 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (3,981 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (3,953 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 2.9% (136 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 8.1% (123 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 6.1% (98 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.8% (108 tests, 2025 data)2019
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019
Mk1 (DM) variants compared

CX-30 Mk1 (DM) variants built around 2020

The fail rate for each CX-30 Mk1 (DM) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • CX-3011.5%757 tests
  • CX-30 GT SPORT MHEV10.8%593 tests
  • CX-30 SE-L LUX MHEV11.6%516 tests
  • CX-30 GT SPORT TECH MHEV10.6%360 tests
  • CX-30 GT SPORT MHEV AUTO10.5%342 tests
  • CX-30 SPORT LUX MHEV AUTO7.5%305 tests
  • CX-30 GT SPORT TECH MHEV AUTO7.3%259 tests
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Mazda CX-30 models of this age

This list covers every Mazda CX-30 built around 2020, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 (DM) on its own.

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

    17.2%
    Advisory: 1,035Fail: 60 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    15.1%
    Advisory: 707Fail: 60 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    14.8%
    Advisory: 842Fail: 4 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.4%
    Advisory: 468Fail: 34 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    6.9%
    Advisory: 427Fail: 20 (4% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,114 tests

Looking at a Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2020 (5 years old), the Mazda CX-30 Mk1 (DM) (2019-present) fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,114 5-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 20,305 MOT tests on Mazda CX-30 models first registered from 2019. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.