Mazda E Series Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda E Series car check
Is the Mazda E Series reliable? We analysed 81,836 real MOT tests across 9,731 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda E Series? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda E Series is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda E Series.
Mazda E Series Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda E Series. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda E Series MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda E Series to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda E Series Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda E Series fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda E Series Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda E Series owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda E Series MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda E Series year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 261 | 79.3% | 81,873 | 113,998 | 144,070 |
| 2017 | 1,247 | 74.7% | 83,982 | 113,125 | 137,158 |
| 2016 | 72 | 63.9% | 81,948 | 102,629 | 137,834 |
| 2015 | 1,522 | 70.4% | 80,064 | 110,080 | 139,838 |
| 2014 | 570 | 71.8% | 97,724 | 128,620 | 166,884 |
| 2013 | 434 | 71.4% | 87,382 | 116,350 | 147,900 |
| 2012 | 323 | 69.0% | 83,135 | 123,977 | 166,565 |
| 2011 | 323 | 68.4% | 105,269 | 126,291 | 154,273 |
| 2010 | 224 | 69.6% | 100,806 | 129,426 | 169,002 |
| 2009 | 155 | 79.4% | 99,192 | 127,972 | 140,708 |
| 2008 | 194 | 69.6% | 93,133 | 111,076 | 127,732 |
| 2007 | 162 | 64.8% | 94,838 | 121,964 | 159,319 |
| 2006 | 241 | 73.4% | 82,681 | 121,156 | 148,772 |
| 2005 | 330 | 71.5% | 80,281 | 112,382 | 154,137 |
| 2004 | 722 | 69.5% | 89,174 | 121,892 | 151,879 |
| 2003 | 438 | 73.1% | 85,280 | 115,428 | 153,802 |
| 2002 | 5,232 | 70.9% | 65,559 | 92,787 | 125,350 |
| 2001 | 14,614 | 70.1% | 64,840 | 91,336 | 120,836 |
| 2000 | 16,490 | 69.0% | 72,800 | 98,360 | 125,809 |
| 1999 | 8,126 | 68.1% | 76,455 | 102,693 | 131,047 |
How Long Does a Mazda E Series Last?
Based on 9,731 Mazda E Series vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda E Series Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda E Series 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 E Series
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.4% MOT pass rate from 155 tests
61.3% MOT pass rate from 168 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda E Series is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.4% across 155 tests. The 1987 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda E Series Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda E Series THIS CAR | 68.3% | 81,836 | 105,896 mi | 36 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 |
| Honda Shuttle | 69.6% | 52,792 | 104,045 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda E Series trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda E Series 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 E SeriesShould you buy a used Mazda E Series?
The Mazda E Series has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.3% across 81,836 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mazda E Series are brake pipe excessively corroded (4,794 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,584), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (2,919). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Mazda E Series owner drives around 6,018 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 E Series models stay on UK roads for around 36 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. 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.