Mazda 3 Sport Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Mazda 3 Sport car check
Is the Mazda 3 Sport reliable? We analysed 1,029 real MOT tests across 219 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Mazda 3 Sport? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Mazda 3 Sport is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, wheel nut(s) missing and headlamp aim too low. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Mazda 3 Sport.
Mazda 3 Sport — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Mazda 3 Sport — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 1999cc
- Power
- 150 BHP
- 0–62 mph
- 10.4 sec
- Fuel type
- Petrol
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Car
- Common colour
- Black
- Wheel plan
- 2 Axle Rigid Body
Fuel Economy
Tax & Emissions
- CO2 output
- 159 g/km Band G
- Emission class
- Not Available
- Road tax (12 mo.)
- £200
- Road tax (6 mo.)
- £110
- Insurance group
- 19 of 50
Mazda 3 Sport Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Mazda 3 Sport. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Mazda 3 Sport Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Mazda 3 Sport fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Mazda 3 Sport Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Mazda 3 Sport models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Mazda 3 Sport Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Mazda 3 Sport owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Mazda 3 Sport Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Mazda 3 Sport MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Mazda 3 Sport Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 3 Sport THIS CAR | 78.7% | 1,029 | 84,142 mi | — yrs |
| Mazda MX-5 | 76.5% | 2,502,760 | 63,190 mi | 36 yrs |
| Mazda 3 | 77.5% | 2,040,939 | 61,041 mi | 22 yrs |
| Mazda 6 | 75.4% | 1,904,140 | 77,387 mi | 24 yrs |
| Saab 9-3 SE Turbo Auto | 74.5% | 1,180 | 86,264 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Mazda MX-5 (76.5% pass rate) and the Mazda 3 (77.5% pass rate), the Mazda 3 Sport outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Mazda 3 Sport you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Mazda 3 SportShould you buy a used Mazda 3 Sport?
The Mazda 3 Sport has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.7% across 1,029 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Mazda 3 Sport are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (13 recorded failures), wheel nut(s) missing (5), and headlamp aim too low (4). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Mazda 3 Sport with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Mazda 3 Sport owner drives around 6,438 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.