Most Reliable Mazda Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 518,750 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Mazda models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
518,750 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Mazda model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Mazda CX-30
93.9% pass rate
Best Single Year
MX-5 2010 Petrol
75.4% pass rate
Mazda vs National Average
72.2% vs 71.5%
+0.7% above average
Proven Durability Champion
MX-5 2010
+17.7% at 13+ years
Mazda has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 518,750 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Mazda models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Mazda model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Mazda Compares to Rivals
Mazda ranks #42 out of 75 manufacturers with a 72.2% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Kia | 73.9% | #32 | 886,213 |
| Hyundai | 73.3% | #34 | 858,542 |
| Suzuki | 73.1% | #37 | 429,206 |
| Honda | 72.2% | #41 | 927,815 |
| Mazda | 72.2% | #42 | 518,750 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
The verdict: Toyota maintains a lead among competitors, while Mazda sits at #42. However, newer Mazda models significantly outperform this average.
Best Mazda Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Mazda's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-30 | 93.9% | +22.3% | 5,891 | 2020-2020 |
| cx-3 | 87.0% | +15.5% | 25,451 | 2015-2019 |
| CX-5 | 81.9% | +10.4% | 60,987 | 2012-2020 |
| MX-5 | 75.0% | +3.5% | 83,075 | 2000-2020 |
| 6 | 70.2% | -1.3% | 67,237 | 2002-2020 |
| 2 | 70.2% | -1.4% | 126,983 | 2003-2020 |
| 3 | 68.3% | -3.2% | 109,680 | 2004-2021 |
| RX-8 | 67.6% | -3.9% | 3,322 | 2003-2010 |
| BT-50 | 59.4% | -12.1% | 854 | 2007-2009 |
| CX-7 | 58.5% | -13.0% | 1,608 | 2007-2012 |
Top performer
The CX-30 dramatically outperforms other Mazdas with an 93.9% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Mazda Models Age Best?
These Mazda models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 | 2010 | Petrol | +17.7% | 13+ years | 75.0% |
| MX-5 | 2009 | Petrol | +16.1% | 13+ years | 73.3% |
| MX-5 | 2012 | Petrol | +15.2% | 11-12 years | 78.0% |
| MX-5 | 2011 | Petrol | +13.3% | 11-12 years | 76.2% |
| MX-5 | 2010 | Petrol | +12.9% | 11-12 years | 75.7% |
| MX-5 | 2008 | Petrol | +12.6% | 13+ years | 69.9% |
| MX-5 | 2007 | Petrol | +12.1% | 13+ years | 69.4% |
| RX-8 | 2007 | Petrol | +11.9% | 13+ years | 69.2% |
| RX-8 | 2004 | Petrol | +9.2% | 13+ years | 66.5% |
| MX-5 | 2002 | Petrol | +8.8% | 13+ years | 66.1% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The MX-5 2010 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 18 percentage points, with 2,204 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Mazda models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 | 2017 | Petrol | +9.5% | 5-6 years | 90.7% |
| MX-5 | 2018 | Petrol | +8.5% | 5-6 years | 89.7% |
| MX-5 | 2019 | Petrol | +7.9% | 3-4 years | 93.7% |
| MX-5 | 2016 | Petrol | +7.3% | 5-6 years | 88.5% |
| cx-3 | 2017 | Petrol | +6.3% | 5-6 years | 87.5% |
| cx-3 | 2019 | Petrol | +5.4% | 3-4 years | 91.2% |
| MX-5 | 2018 | Petrol | +5.3% | 3-4 years | 91.2% |
| cx-3 | 2018 | Petrol | +5.2% | 5-6 years | 86.4% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Mazda 2: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The 2 has 126,983 tests in our database with an overall 70.2% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 92.0% | +4.3% | 4,150 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 91.0% | +4.8% | 8,326 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 88.0% | +3.8% | 8,118 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 85.4% | +3.7% | 7,647 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 81.2% | +2.6% | 9,677 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 75.7% | -3.0% | 452 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 80.9% | +5.4% | 256 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 79.2% | +3.7% | 9,709 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 72.8% | +1.1% | 8,486 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 67.6% | -0.7% | 8,625 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 65.4% | -0.2% | 8,850 |
| 2012 | Diesel | 55.9% | -9.7% | 127 |
| ... | ||||
| 2012 | Diesel | 55.9% | -9.7% | 127 |
| 2011 | Diesel | 54.9% | -8.1% | 392 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 57.1% | -3.4% | 12,688 |
2 verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 92.0% pass rate. Avoid the 2012 diesel (55.9%).
Avoid early 2 models
The 2012 diesel 2 has a 55.9% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Mazda 3: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The 3 has 109,680 tests in our database with an overall 68.3% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Petrol | 92.1% | +1.2% | 101 |
| 2020 | Petrol | 90.4% | +2.7% | 4,157 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 90.7% | +4.5% | 4,071 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 86.0% | -0.2% | 294 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 85.2% | +1.0% | 6,501 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 77.4% | -6.9% | 570 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 77.9% | -3.8% | 7,065 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 72.5% | -9.2% | 1,162 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 75.5% | -3.1% | 8,598 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 74.8% | -3.8% | 2,087 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 75.7% | +0.2% | 9,504 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 71.7% | -3.8% | 2,394 |
| ... | ||||
| 2011 | Diesel | 59.8% | -3.1% | 1,138 |
| 2010 | Diesel | 56.5% | -4.0% | 1,944 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 57.3% | -1.7% | 6,965 |
3 verdict: The 2021 petrol model achieves an excellent 92.1% pass rate. Avoid the 2011 diesel (59.8%).
Avoid early 3 models
The 2011 diesel 3 has a 59.8% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Mazda MX-5: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The MX-5 has 83,075 tests in our database with an overall 75.0% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 94.8% | +7.1% | 768 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 93.7% | +7.5% | 4,069 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 90.8% | +6.5% | 4,267 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 90.7% | +9.0% | 4,552 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 88.3% | +9.7% | 4,100 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 87.3% | +11.8% | 2,967 |
| 2014 | Petrol | 83.5% | +11.8% | 2,860 |
| 2013 | Petrol | 81.2% | +12.9% | 3,094 |
| 2012 | Petrol | 80.2% | +14.6% | 3,099 |
| 2011 | Petrol | 76.2% | +13.2% | 3,425 |
| 2010 | Petrol | 75.4% | +14.9% | 4,685 |
| 2009 | Petrol | 73.3% | +14.3% | 4,233 |
MX-5 verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 94.8% pass rate.
Mazda 6: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The 6 has 67,237 tests in our database with an overall 70.2% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 92.6% | +4.9% | 892 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 87.5% | -0.2% | 160 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 90.7% | +4.5% | 2,949 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 88.1% | +1.9% | 1,516 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 87.1% | +2.9% | 1,746 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 85.0% | +0.7% | 1,524 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 83.7% | +2.0% | 1,877 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 81.0% | -0.7% | 2,879 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 79.5% | +0.9% | 2,029 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 78.1% | -0.6% | 4,971 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 78.4% | +2.9% | 1,609 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 76.3% | +0.8% | 5,227 |
| ... | ||||
| 2011 | Diesel | 59.3% | -3.7% | 2,999 |
| 2010 | Diesel | 59.3% | -1.2% | 3,216 |
| 2009 | Diesel | 59.6% | +0.6% | 1,983 |
6 verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 92.6% pass rate. Avoid the 2011 diesel (59.3%).
Avoid early 6 models
The 2011 diesel 6 has a 59.3% pass rate, failing MOTs more often than passing.
Mazda CX-5: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The CX-5 has 60,987 tests in our database with an overall 81.9% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Petrol | 90.4% | +2.7% | 4,534 |
| 2020 | Diesel | 89.0% | +1.3% | 837 |
| 2019 | Petrol | 88.9% | +2.6% | 7,138 |
| 2019 | Diesel | 86.9% | +0.7% | 3,054 |
| 2018 | Petrol | 87.2% | +3.0% | 4,773 |
| 2018 | Diesel | 84.5% | +0.3% | 5,341 |
| 2017 | Petrol | 85.8% | +4.1% | 1,997 |
| 2017 | Diesel | 84.4% | +2.8% | 5,195 |
| 2016 | Petrol | 83.2% | +4.5% | 1,384 |
| 2016 | Diesel | 80.3% | +1.6% | 5,714 |
| 2015 | Petrol | 79.4% | +4.0% | 1,036 |
| 2015 | Diesel | 77.8% | +2.3% | 6,136 |
CX-5 verdict: The 2020 petrol model achieves an excellent 90.4% pass rate.
Mazda Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Mazda's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 72.5% | +1.0% | 400,912 |
| Diesel | 71.4% | -0.1% | 107,975 |
Mazda Models to Avoid
Not all Mazdas are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2007 | Petrol | 43.4% (-16.5% vs same-age) | 1,743 |
| 5 | 2009 | Petrol | 48.1% (-11.7% vs same-age) | 1,122 |
| 2 | 2008 | Diesel | 47.1% (-12.7% vs same-age) | 560 |
| 5 | 2006 | Petrol | 46.1% (-13.8% vs same-age) | 807 |
| 5 | 2008 | Petrol | 47.4% (-12.5% vs same-age) | 1,850 |
| 3 | 2017 | Diesel | 72.5% | 1,162 |
| BONGO | 2007 | Diesel | 47.8% (-12.1% vs same-age) | 728 |
| 3 | 2004 | Petrol | 47.2% (-12.6% vs same-age) | 965 |
| 2 | 2009 | Diesel | 50.6% | 1,009 |
| BONGO | 2006 | Diesel | 47.9% (-11.9% vs same-age) | 655 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2006-2009 petrol 5s, 2008-2009 diesel 2s, 2004-2017 petrol/diesel 3s are the models that drag down Mazda's average. The 5 2007 performs 14% worse than the average car of the same age at 13+ years - this is proven poor durability. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Mazdas?
When Mazdas fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Suspension | 55,311 |
| 2. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 46,793 |
| 3. Brakes | 33,524 |
| 4. Tyres | 27,416 |
| 5. Visibility | 22,878 |
| 6. Noise, emissions and leaks | 15,457 |
| 7. Body, chassis, structure | 11,307 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Mazda owners:
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- MX-5 2001-2012: +12% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- RX-8 2004-2007: +10% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Mazda Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- 5 2006-2010: -11% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- 2 2008: -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- 3 2004: -10% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- BONGO 2006-2007: -9% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 518,750 tests on Mazda vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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