Mazda CX-3

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 6 model years from 41,050 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

88%

Total Tests

41,050

Highest Pass Rate

2019 (93%)

Years Covered

About the Mazda CX-3

The Mazda CX-3 was MOT tested 41,050 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 6 model years (2015 to 2020), with an average pass rate of 88%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93% from 11,421 tests. The 2015 model has the lowest at 85%. The 8 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Mazda CX-3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2015) averages 61,842 miles, while the newest (2020) averages 25,685 miles.

Compared to the Mazda brand average of 81%, the CX-3 performs 7 points better, making it one of the more reliable options in the Mazda range.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,236

Per month£186/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2020 details

How reliable is the Mazda CX-3?

vs average of all models+6% (82% avg)

vs Mazda brand average+7% (81% avg)

Best to worst year spread8 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Mazda CX-3 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	83%	30	25,685 mi
2019	93%	11,421	31,849 mi
2018	92%	9,124	39,264 mi
2017	90%	7,863	47,343 mi
2016	86%	8,421	56,358 mi
2015	85%	4,191	61,842 mi

Questions about the Mazda CX-3

Is the Mazda CX-3 reliable?

Across its 6 model years in our data (2015 to 2020), the Mazda CX-3 averages an 88% MOT pass rate, from 41,050 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2019 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 93%.

Which year Mazda CX-3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 85%, a 8 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.