Mazda Tribute Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda Tribute car check
Is the Mazda Tribute reliable? We analysed 38,590 real MOT tests across 2,673 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda Tribute? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda Tribute is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake hose excessively deteriorated, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and registration plate lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda Tribute.
Mazda Tribute Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda Tribute. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda Tribute MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Mazda Tribute to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Mazda Tribute Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda Tribute fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda Tribute Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda Tribute owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda Tribute MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Mazda Tribute year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 89 | 77.5% | 30,613 | 47,631 | 67,158 |
| 2005 | 111 | 73.0% | 56,984 | 99,225 | 141,333 |
| 2004 | 8,154 | 71.8% | 43,122 | 65,456 | 89,459 |
| 2003 | 12,900 | 71.2% | 46,611 | 68,317 | 92,112 |
| 2002 | 12,661 | 70.4% | 53,449 | 75,637 | 99,279 |
| 2001 | 4,507 | 70.1% | 59,159 | 81,692 | 104,396 |
How Long Does a Mazda Tribute Last?
Based on 2,673 Mazda Tribute vehicles on UK roads.
Mazda Tribute Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda Tribute 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 Tribute
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.5% MOT pass rate from 89 tests
70.1% MOT pass rate from 4,507 tests
The best year to buy a used Mazda Tribute is 2006, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.5% across 89 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Mazda Tribute Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda Tribute THIS CAR | 71.0% | 38,590 | 71,980 mi | 25 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 |
| Daihatsu Copen | 79.6% | 38,710 | 41,895 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda Tribute trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda Tribute 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 TributeShould you buy a used Mazda Tribute?
The Mazda Tribute has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.0% across 38,590 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Mazda Tribute are brake hose excessively deteriorated (2,111 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,355), and registration plate lamp not working (1,261). 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 Tribute owner drives around 6,359 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 Tribute models stay on UK roads for around 25 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.