Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs car check
Is the Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs reliable? We analysed 1,323 real MOT tests across 288 vehicles to find out.
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The Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs.
Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 269 | 56.1% | 83,062 | 111,318 | 133,936 |
| 1993 | 466 | 59.2% | 99,220 | 114,380 | 126,553 |
| 1992 | 417 | 56.4% | 95,754 | 113,699 | 131,223 |
| 1991 | 158 | 58.2% | 101,942 | 123,050 | 140,898 |
How Long Does a Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs Last?
Based on 288 Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs 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 1.8I Abs
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
59.2% MOT pass rate from 466 tests
56.1% MOT pass rate from 269 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs is 1993, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 59.2% across 466 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 56.1% — 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 1.8I Abs 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 1.8I Abs THIS CAR | 57.5% | 1,323 | 114,019 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 |
| Husqvarna Svartpilen 125 2021 | 85.5% | 635 | 5,146 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs 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-3 1.8I AbsShould you buy a used Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs?
The Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs has an overall MOT pass rate of 57.5% across 1,323 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Mazda MX-3 1.8I Abs are brake pipe excessively corroded (197 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (173), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (149). 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 1.8I Abs owner drives around 5,963 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 1.8I Abs 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.