In 2025, 24,807 Mazda CX-3 cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 83% passed first time, compared with 79% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the CX-3 better than average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 67 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 6 years old, 88% of CX-3s passed first time (all cars that age: 84%). By 10 years, that figure is 73% (all cars: 72%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 6 to 8 years.
Mazda CX-3 All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | CX-3 passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 years | 7,090 | 88% | 84% | 37,901 |
| 7 years | 5,644 | 88% | 81% | 45,900 |
| 8 years | 4,862 | 84% | 78% | 53,403 |
| 9 years | 4,860 | 77% | 75% | 61,481 |
| 10 years | 2,327 | 73% | 72% | 66,643 |
What fails most on a Mazda CX-3
The area that lets the CX-3 down most, relative to other cars, is seat belts and airbags: 2.1% of tests failed on it, 6.4 times the rate for the average car. It does comparatively well on body and structure and emissions and leaks.
Share of CX-3 tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 2.8% |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | Visibility | 2.7% |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | Suspension | 2.2% |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | Brakes | 2.1% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 1.8% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 1.7% |
What to check when buying a used CX-3
Based on where the CX-3 fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Seat belts and airbags: Pull every belt out fully and let it retract, check the buckles latch, and make sure the airbag light goes out after starting. More
- Visibility: Check the windscreen for chips in the driver’s view, the wipers for smearing and the washers for working jets. Repair guide
- Tyres: Check tread across the whole width (uneven wear hints at alignment or suspension faults), and look for cuts, bulges and mismatched brands. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific CX-3
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a CX-3Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Mazda CX-3?
In 2025, 83% of Mazda CX-3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 24,807 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 79%.
What do Mazda CX-3 cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a tyre seriously damaged (2.8% of tests); wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen (2.7% of tests); a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened (2.2% of tests).
Other Mazda models
Mazda 2 (67%), Mazda 3 (69%), Mazda MX-5 (74%), Mazda CX-5 (78%), Mazda 6 (69%). All Mazda models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.