Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 3 to 15 years old

Mazda models ranked by MOT fails

Q: Which Mazda models have the fewest MOT fails?

41,720 MOT tests at 3 to 5 years put the Mazda CX-30 first: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.74); ranks 1 to 2 overlap, so it is level with the Mazda MX-5. Next is the Mazda MX-5: 26% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: Which Mazda models fail their MOT most often?

31,839 MOT tests at 8 to 15 years put the Mazda 5 last of the 9 in this list: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18).

Q: How many Mazda models are compared?

9 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 1,676,693 MOT tests in all; 1 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often.

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 1,676,693 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

Mazda CX-30 ranks first among Mazda models (95% rank range 1–2, level with the Mazda MX-5): no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.74) (41,720 MOT tests) ^[1].

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9 models ranked, 1 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 1,676,693 MOT tests ^[1]
Mazda MX-5 is next: 26% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (187,383 MOT tests)
Mazda 5 is last of the 9: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18) (31,839 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

#2, the first at least 20% below cars the same age and mileage: Mazda MX-5, 26% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage

This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

Mazda models: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 9 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 3 to 15 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

Top 9 of 9. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% range	Model	Against cars the same age and mileage	Adjusted rateits own ages, typical mileage	Rawits own ages and mileage	MOT tests	Next step
11–2	Mazda CX-30small SUV	close to averageratio 0.74 (0.71–0.76)	8.5%all cars: 11.6%	8.1%	41,720at 3 to 5 years	Mazda CX-30 MOT fail rate · Mazda CX-30 common problems
21–2	Mazda MX-5sports car	26% fewer fails (25–27% fewer)	20.7%all cars: 27.9%	17.2%	187,383at 3 to 15 years	Mazda MX-5 MOT fail rate · Mazda MX-5 common problems
3certain	Mazda CX-3small SUV	close to averageratio 0.84 (0.83–0.85)	14.5%all cars: 17.3%	13.7%	101,407at 3 to 10 years	Mazda CX-3 MOT fail rate · Mazda CX-3 common problems
4certain	Mazda CX-5family SUV	close to averageratio 0.88 (0.88–0.89)	17.3%all cars: 19.6%	18.3%	256,315at 3 to 13 years	Mazda CX-5 MOT fail rate · Mazda CX-5 common problems
5certain	Mazda 6executive car	close to averageratio 0.94 (0.94–0.95)	25.9%all cars: 27.5%	27.8%	228,816at 3 to 15 years	Mazda 6 MOT fail rate · Mazda 6 common problems
66–7	Mazda CX-7family SUV	about averageratio 1.02 (0.98–1.06)	39.3%all cars: 38.5%	42.3%	3,131at 12 to 14 years	Mazda CX-7 common problems
76–7	Mazda 3family hatchback	close to averageratio 1.04 (1.04–1.05)	28.1%all cars: 26.9%	28.2%	368,117at 3 to 15 years	Mazda 3 MOT fail rate · Mazda 3 common problems
8certain	Mazda 2supermini	close to averageratio 1.08 (1.08–1.09)	30.3%all cars: 28.1%	28.4%	457,965at 3 to 15 years	Mazda 2 MOT fail rate · Mazda 2 common problems
9certain	Mazda 5MPV	close to averageratio 1.18 (1.16–1.19)	43.5%all cars: 37.0%	45.7%	31,839at 8 to 15 years	Mazda 5 MOT fail rate · Mazda 5 common problems

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The top 9 in this list, model by model

1 · About average

Mazda CX-30

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.71–0.76), from 41,720 MOT tests at 3 to 5 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 8.5% (8.3%–8.8%), against 11.6% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 8.1%. Rank range 1–2.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a small SUV; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

2 · 26% fewer MOT fails

Mazda MX-5

Why it ranks here: 26% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.73–0.75), from 187,383 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 20.7% (20.5%–20.9%), against 27.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 17.2%. Rank range 1–2.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

3 · About average

Mazda CX-3

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.83–0.85), from 101,407 MOT tests at 3 to 10 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 14.5% (14.3%–14.8%), against 17.3% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 13.7%. Rank range 3–3.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 3.7–4.1× as often as cars the same age (1,420 fails in 102,215 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a small SUV; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

4 · About average

Mazda CX-5

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.88–0.89), from 256,315 MOT tests at 3 to 13 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 17.3% (17.2%–17.5%), against 19.6% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 18.3%. Rank range 4–4.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 2.7–2.8× as often as cars the same age (5,974 fails in 257,821 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were 59% diesel, 41% petrol.

5 · About average

Mazda 6

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.94, 95% CI 0.94–0.95), from 228,816 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 25.9% (25.8%–26.1%), against 27.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 27.8%. Rank range 5–5.

Check before you buy: fails on brakes 1.56–1.60× as often as cars the same age (21,272 fails in 230,486 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an executive car; the ones tested were 53% diesel, 47% petrol.

6 · About average

Mazda CX-7

Why it ranks here: About as many MOT fails as cars the same age and mileage (ratio 1.02, 95% CI 0.98–1.06), from 3,131 MOT tests at 12 to 14 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 39.3% (37.7%–40.9%), against 38.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 42.3%. Rank range 6–7.

Check before you buy: fails on brakes 1.5–1.7× as often as cars the same age (500 fails in 3,557 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were 73% diesel, 27% petrol.

7 · About average

Mazda 3

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.04–1.05), from 368,117 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 28.1% (27.9%–28.2%), against 26.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 28.2%. Rank range 6–7.

Check before you buy: fails on suspension 1.52–1.54× as often as cars the same age (46,211 fails in 369,917 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

8 · About average

Mazda 2

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.08, 95% CI 1.08–1.09), from 457,965 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 30.3% (30.2%–30.5%), against 28.1% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 28.4%. Rank range 8–8.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 1.86–1.92× as often as cars the same age (14,951 fails in 460,112 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on seat belts and airbags 1.5–1.6× as often as cars the same age (5,339 fails in 460,112 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.3–1.4× as often as cars the same age (54,559 fails in 460,112 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

9 · About average

Mazda 5

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.16–1.19), from 31,839 MOT tests at 8 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 43.5% (43.0%–44.0%), against 37.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 45.7%. Rank range 9–9.

Check before you buy: fails on emissions and leaks 2.0–2.1× as often as cars the same age (2,800 fails in 32,511 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.9–2.0× as often as cars the same age (2,888 fails in 32,511 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.6–1.7× as often as cars the same age (7,364 fails in 32,511 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at an MPV; the ones tested were 73% petrol, 27% diesel.

How to choose Mazda models with this list

Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from about average (Mazda CX-30) to about average (Mazda 5).
1 of the 9 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often; the other 8 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
Look at what a model fails on: 7 of the 9 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.

Free car check by registration The MOT record, the mileage readings and the recall flag in one overview, with how the model does at its MOT.
Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
Mileage check by registration The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.

How we rank

1,676,693 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 3 to 15 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

More lists

Questions people ask

Which Mazda models have the fewest MOT fails?

41,720 MOT tests at 3 to 5 years put the Mazda CX-30 first: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.74); ranks 1 to 2 overlap, so it is level with the Mazda MX-5. Next is the Mazda MX-5: 26% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Which Mazda models fail their MOT most often?

31,839 MOT tests at 8 to 15 years put the Mazda 5 last of the 9 in this list: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.18).

How many Mazda models are compared?

9 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 1,676,693 MOT tests in all; 1 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 0 at least 20% more often.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 1,676,693 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.