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Mazda Cx-3 common problems by mileage

What UK MOT testers flag on the Mazda Cx-3 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.

In 25,464 UK MOT tests of the Mazda Cx-3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material): recorded on 3.2% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km), 8× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: brake discs (worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened) (2.3×); brake pads (wearing thin) (2.2×); tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.6×). The most common reasons a Mazda Cx-3 fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).

Last updated:  ·  Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023

What stands out on the Mazda Cx-3

Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Mazda Cx-3 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).

IssueTypeFirst usedMileageShare of testsAll cars this ageRatioTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other materialAdvisory2015–20170k–20k mi (0k–32k km)3.2%0.4%8×883
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakenedAdvisory2018–20200k–20k mi (0k–32k km)7%3.1%2.3×4,111
Brake pads: wearing thinAdvisory2018–20200k–20k mi (0k–32k km)3.5%1.6%2.2×4,111
Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cordsAdvisory2015–20170k–20k mi (0k–32k km)3.1%1.2%2.6×883
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectivelyMOT fail2017–201940k–60k mi (64k–97k km)3.2%2%1.6×3,432
Coil spring: fractured or brokenMOT fail2014–201640k–60k mi (64k–97k km)3.5%2.2%1.6×2,782
Brake discs: worn, but not excessivelyAdvisory2017–201940k–60k mi (64k–97k km)4.1%2.7%1.5×3,432
Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishingAdvisory2018–202040k–60k mi (64k–97k km)8.6%5.7%1.5×1,834

Mazda Cx-3 by mileage (2017–2019 cars)

The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.

MileageTestsMost commonStands out
0k–20k mi (0k–32k km)4,621Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (8.4%)Brake pads: wearing thin (3.5%, 1.9×)
20k–40k mi (32k–64k km)9,097Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%)—
40k–60k mi (64k–97k km)3,432Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%)Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.2%, 1.6×)
60k–80k mi (97k–129k km)789Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%)—

Mazda Cx-3 by first-use year

First usedTestsBiggest stand-out issue
20152,393Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.9×)
20164,927Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (8×)
20174,854Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.1×)
20185,655Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (1.9×)
20197,621Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.3×)

How these numbers are made

From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the Mazda Cx-3?

In 25,464 UK MOT tests of the Mazda Cx-3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material): recorded on 3.2% of tests of 2015–2017 cars at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km), 8× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: brake discs (worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened) (2.3×); brake pads (wearing thin) (2.2×); tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.6×). The most common reasons a Mazda Cx-3 fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); coil spring (fractured or broken); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick).

Why do Mazda Cx-3s fail the MOT?

Across 25,464 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Mazda Cx-3 were wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.7% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (3% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (2.5% of tests).

At what mileage do Mazda Cx-3 problems start?

The clearest Mazda Cx-3-specific issue, rigid brake pipes (corroded, covered in grease or other material), peaks against other cars at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) on 2015–2017 cars (3.2% of tests vs 0.4% for all cars that age).

Where does this Mazda Cx-3 data come from?

From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 25,464 tests of the Mazda Cx-3. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.

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