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Mazda MPV Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Mazda MPV car check

Is the Mazda MPV reliable? We analysed 44,611 real MOT tests across 3,157 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 44,611 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.2%
Typical Mileage
101,694mi
Annual Mileage
6,780mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
31yrs

The Mazda MPV is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda MPV.

Mazda MPV Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Mazda MPV. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Mazda MPV MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Mazda MPV to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

69%
2017
73.2%
2016
64.4%
2015
71.1%
2014
68%
2013
71%
2012
68.2%
2011
66.9%
2010
66.2%
2009
65.5%
2008
67%
2007
67.9%
2006
68.1%
2005
68.6%
2004
71.2%
2003
69.8%
2002
67.5%
2001
67.5%
2000
68.2%
1999
64.9%
1998

Mazda MPV Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Mazda MPV fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1,975
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 1,401
position lamp(s) not working 1,305
Registration plate lamp not working 1,115
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 982
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint 936
fog lamp not working 851
Stop lamp not working 768
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 748
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 501

Mazda MPV Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Mazda MPV owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,881 mi/yr
Typical
6,780 mi/yr
Average
7,828 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,192 mi/yr

Mazda MPV MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda MPV year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 100 69.0% 55,215 68,587 89,060
2016 82 73.2% 79,296 98,402 109,746
2015 90 64.4% 103,881 138,577 194,130
2014 471 71.1% 96,191 115,434 148,536
2013 672 68.0% 96,731 125,018 158,051
2012 730 71.0% 84,431 122,236 165,228
2011 947 68.2% 97,611 129,796 170,853
2010 1,331 66.9% 98,405 127,630 165,240
2009 992 66.2% 98,052 135,207 177,118
2008 1,821 65.5% 94,808 123,825 162,296
2007 2,101 67.0% 93,716 123,445 160,587
2006 2,029 67.9% 87,269 126,597 168,450
2005 2,798 68.1% 77,756 111,395 157,290
2004 5,821 68.6% 55,068 80,996 111,650
2003 6,357 71.2% 51,780 74,420 100,505
2002 5,207 69.8% 55,980 79,256 106,368
2001 1,557 67.5% 72,284 103,999 137,266
2000 3,053 67.5% 72,167 95,119 120,628
1999 1,555 68.2% 82,520 110,643 145,297
1998 530 64.9% 100,654 134,460 184,833

How Long Does a Mazda MPV Last?

Based on 3,157 Mazda MPV vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.3 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
31 years

Mazda MPV Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Mazda MPV MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
101,694 mi
75th Percentile
140,756 mi
95th Percentile
207,339 mi
Max Recorded
988,269 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Mazda MPV

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2016

73.2% MOT pass rate from 82 tests

Year to avoid
1994

60.8% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

The best year to buy a used Mazda MPV is 2016, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.2% across 82 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.8% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Mazda MPV Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Mazda MPV THIS CAR 68.2% 44,611 101,694 mi 31 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 Unknown 84.8% 19,752 18,323 mi 62 yrs

Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda MPV trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Mazda MPV 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.

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Should you buy a used Mazda MPV?

The Mazda MPV has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.2% across 44,611 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Mazda MPV are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,975 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (1,401), and position lamp(s) not working (1,305). 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 MPV owner drives around 6,780 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 MPV models stay on UK roads for around 31 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.

Mazda MPV — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mazda MPV reliable?
Based on 44,611 MOT tests, the Mazda MPV has a 68.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Mazda MPV?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Mazda MPV do per year?
The typical Mazda MPV does around 6,780 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Mazda MPV last?
Most Mazda MPV models stay on UK roads for around 31 years based on our analysis of 3,157 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Mazda MPV?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Mazda MPV?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Mazda MPV is 2016 with a 73.2% pass rate across 82 tests.