Mazda reliability: MOT results 2024
Figures updated
Ranked 25 of 52 makes
495,614 Mazda cars aged 3 to 20 had an MOT in 2024, and 27.7% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Allowing for age and mileage, a Mazda is 3% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage. At their first MOT, 9.6% failed (UK 12.7%).
Mazda models ranked
| Model | Score | Fail rate | First MOT | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-30 | 136 | 8.6% | 8.4% | 11,789 |
| Mazda MX-5 | 125 | 23.3% | 5.7% | 70,793 |
| Mazda CX-3 | 122 | 14.6% | – | 25,440 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 119 | 18.9% | 11.4% | 64,463 |
| Mazda RX-8 | 114 | 33.0% | – | 2,910 |
| Mazda 6 | 107 | 30.4% | 9.7% | 61,526 |
| Mazda 3 | 96 | 31.7% | 11.1% | 107,067 |
| Mazda 2 | 93 | 30.8% | 8.4% | 125,609 |
| Mazda 5 | 86 | 47.8% | – | 10,516 |
| Mazda Bongo | 86 | 46.2% | – | 8,116 |
Mazda MOT failure rate by age
What Mazda cars fail on
| Area | Tests failing | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 10.8% | ▲ 1.2× as often |
| Lights and electrics | 9.2% | ▼ 16% less often |
| Brakes | 6.5% | About average |
| Tyres | 5.5% | ▼ 13% less often |
| Visibility | 4.6% | About average |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.9% | About average |
| Body and structure | 2.1% | ▼ 38% less often |
| Steering | 1.8% | About average |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | About average |
| Wheels | 0.3% | ▼ 24% less often |
Most common Mazda MOT faults
- Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.3% of tests
- Position lamp: not working3.1% of tests
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7% of tests
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5% of tests
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3% of tests
- Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9% of tests
Frequently asked questions
›Are Mazda cars reliable?
By MOT results, Mazda ranks 25 of 52 makes in 2024, with a reliability score of 103 (100 is average for the same age and mileage). 27.7% of Mazda cars failed their MOT first time.
›What is the most reliable Mazda?
The Mazda CX-30, with a score of 136. The lowest-scoring is the Bongo (86).
›What do Mazda cars fail their MOT on?
Suspension: 10.8% of Mazda MOTs failed on it, 1.2 times the rate for similar cars. The single most common fault was “Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn”.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, Open Government Licence v3.0. How we calculate the league.