Petrol Mazda 3: MOT pass rate

74.3% of petrol Mazda 3s pass the MOT first time, measured across 93,122 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 73,153.

Petrol against the other Mazda 3 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Mazda 3 specifically, petrol is the strongest at 74.3%, and this petrol version sits 0.4 points above the 73.9% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Mazda 3 had covered 73,153 miles at test, against 94,502 for the diesel. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Mazda 3 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Mazda 3

1. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4.4% of tests (1.91x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 8.9% of tests (1.78x the national rate for this defect)
3. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.6% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect)
4. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2% of tests (1.59x the national rate for this defect)
5. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.4% of tests (1.53x the national rate for this defect)
6. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.3% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.4% of tests (1.3x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.3% of tests (1.25x the national rate for this defect)
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.3% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.3% of tests

From 93,594 DVSA-tracked petrol Mazda 3 tests, 2024, split out from the Mazda 3's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.14% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Mazda 3

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 22.4% of tests (4.32x the national rate for this defect)
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 3.8% of tests (3.07x the national rate for this defect)
3. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 4.5% of tests (2.94x the national rate for this defect)
4. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.1% of tests (2.8x the national rate for this defect)
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 14.5% of tests (1.55x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 8.7% of tests (1.41x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 18.6% of tests (1.39x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A tyre seriously damaged, 19.7% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect), also fails
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 14.8% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect)
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 26.3% of tests, also fails

From 93,594 DVSA-tracked petrol Mazda 3 tests, 2024.

Other Mazda 3 fuel types

• Diesel Mazda 3 - 71%

All Mazda 3 MOT data · Every model