Mazda CX-3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda CX-3 car check
Is the Mazda CX-3 reliable? We analysed 170,196 real MOT tests across 25,175 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda CX-3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda CX-3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda CX-3.
Mazda CX-3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda CX-3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda CX-3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda CX-3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda CX-3 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mazda CX-3 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mazda CX-3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda CX-3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda CX-3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda CX-3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 55 | 85.5% | 17,454 | 23,979 | 32,269 |
| 2019 | 34,660 | 90.8% | 17,599 | 26,541 | 38,155 |
| 2018 | 33,813 | 90.5% | 20,464 | 30,923 | 44,623 |
| 2017 | 35,747 | 89.5% | 23,158 | 35,068 | 50,807 |
| 2016 | 41,740 | 86.0% | 26,614 | 40,239 | 57,876 |
| 2015 | 22,748 | 85.4% | 28,376 | 42,778 | 61,464 |
How Long Does a Mazda CX-3 Last?
Based on 25,175 Mazda CX-3 vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda CX-3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda CX-3 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda CX-3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.8% MOT pass rate from 34,660 tests
85.4% MOT pass rate from 22,748 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda CX-3 is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 34,660 tests. The 2015 model year has the lowest pass rate at 85.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda CX-3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-3 THIS CAR | 88.5% | 170,196 | 34,282 mi | 11 yrs |
| Mazda MX-5 | 76.5% | 2,502,760 | 63,190 mi | 36 yrs |
| Mazda 3 | 77.5% | 2,040,939 | 61,041 mi | 22 yrs |
| Mazda 6 | 75.4% | 1,904,140 | 77,387 mi | 24 yrs |
| Smart (mcc) Fortwo | 85% | 187,875 | 28,034 mi | 13 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda CX-3 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda CX-3 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mazda CX-3Should you buy a used Mazda CX-3?
The Mazda CX-3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.5% across 170,196 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mazda CX-3 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mazda CX-3 owner drives around 5,723 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Mazda CX-3 models stay on UK roads for around 11 years. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.