Mazda MX-3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda MX-3 car check
Is the Mazda MX-3 reliable? We analysed 67,760 real MOT tests across 8,694 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda MX-3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda MX-3 is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda MX-3.
Mazda MX-3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda MX-3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda MX-3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda MX-3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda MX-3 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda MX-3 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda MX-3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda MX-3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda MX-3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda MX-3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 66 | 66.7% | 81,048 | 101,559 | 119,333 |
| 2005 | 118 | 62.7% | 107,302 | 136,226 | 154,008 |
| 2004 | 193 | 68.9% | 92,255 | 115,183 | 141,171 |
| 2003 | 333 | 67.6% | 94,588 | 140,643 | 170,302 |
| 2002 | 140 | 61.4% | 77,177 | 112,164 | 143,176 |
| 2001 | 175 | 65.1% | 66,714 | 89,728 | 111,702 |
| 2000 | 492 | 63.8% | 95,823 | 112,488 | 137,243 |
| 1999 | 835 | 63.0% | 90,263 | 119,984 | 149,798 |
| 1998 | 9,003 | 65.3% | 62,574 | 81,667 | 104,165 |
| 1997 | 17,484 | 64.6% | 67,200 | 86,688 | 106,717 |
| 1996 | 10,689 | 64.1% | 66,666 | 86,042 | 106,759 |
| 1995 | 7,147 | 64.8% | 71,710 | 92,659 | 112,969 |
| 1994 | 6,202 | 62.7% | 75,986 | 96,524 | 117,717 |
| 1993 | 6,231 | 62.3% | 80,670 | 102,125 | 122,668 |
| 1992 | 5,593 | 61.1% | 82,960 | 106,076 | 129,378 |
| 1991 | 2,801 | 62.2% | 83,985 | 108,110 | 133,848 |
| 1990 | 126 | 66.7% | 114,698 | 143,328 | 171,212 |
How Long Does a Mazda MX-3 Last?
Based on 8,694 Mazda MX-3 vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda MX-3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda MX-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 MX-3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
68.9% MOT pass rate from 193 tests
61.1% MOT pass rate from 5,593 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda MX-3 is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.9% across 193 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda MX-3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-3 THIS CAR | 63.9% | 67,760 | 91,980 mi | 35 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 Stream | 72% | 76,510 | 85,722 mi | 25 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda MX-3 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda MX-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 MX-3Should you buy a used Mazda MX-3?
The Mazda MX-3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 63.9% across 67,760 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Mazda MX-3 are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (4,172 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,102), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (3,642). 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 MX-3 owner drives around 4,237 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 MX-3 models stay on UK roads for around 35 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.