Mazda B Series: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Mazda B Series fails its first MOT more often than the average UK car, by 11.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,649 individual Mazda B Series tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 65.5% first-time pass rate means roughly 35 in every 100 Mazda B Series presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is worse than average, so budget for remedial work and treat a fresh 12-month MOT as a genuine selling point rather than a given. The average Mazda B Series tested had covered 119,210 miles and was built around 2002.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Mazda B Series sits 11.2 points below the national average, ranked 1,860 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, assume the mechanical side needs more than the visible accident damage, and pad your repair estimate accordingly.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Mazda B Series rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Mazda B Series at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Mazda B Series

1. Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, 7.3% of tests (31.75x the national rate for this defect)
2. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 8.2% of tests (18.6x the national rate for this defect)
3. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 5.9% of tests (14.37x the national rate for this defect)
4. 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, 6.9% of tests (7.32x the national rate for this defect)
5. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 6.6% of tests (6.18x the national rate for this defect)
6. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 7.1% of tests (4.63x the national rate for this defect)
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.2% of tests (3.04x the national rate for this defect)
8. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.7% of tests (2.63x the national rate for this defect)
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 5.3% of tests (2.27x the national rate for this defect)
10. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 2.7% of tests (2.23x the national rate for this defect)

From 1,650 DVSA-tracked Mazda B Series tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.27% of these flagged Mazda B Series defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Mazda B Series

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Mazda B Series before it actually fails on it.

1. Body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, 11.7% of tests (40.26x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 20.1% of tests (16.12x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
3. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 10.1% of tests (15.6x the national rate for this advisory)
4. A shock absorber bush excessively worn, 5.5% of tests (11.44x the national rate for this advisory)
5. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 39% of tests (6.3x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
6. 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, 7.2% of tests (4.71x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
7. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 5.4% of tests (4.04x the national rate for this advisory)
8. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 9.2% of tests (3.45x the national rate for this advisory)
9. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 5.5% of tests (2.73x the national rate for this advisory), also fails
10. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 7.4% of tests (2.6x the national rate for this advisory), also fails

From 1,650 DVSA-tracked Mazda B Series tests, 2024.

Mazda B Series pass rate by model year

Pass rates fall steadily as cars age, so the model year matters as much as the model. First-time pass rate for each Mazda B Series year:

• 2002 Mazda B Series - 62.6% first-time pass, 230 tests
• 2003 Mazda B Series - 66.1% first-time pass, 248 tests
• 2005 Mazda B Series - 65.6% first-time pass, 340 tests

Other Mazda models

• Mazda 2 - 73.4%
• Mazda 3 - 73.4%
• Mazda Mx-5 - 77.2%
• Mazda 6 - 74%
• Mazda Cx-5 - 83.1%
• Mazda Cx-3 - 88%
• Mazda 5 - 59%
• Mazda Bongo - 58.1%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Citroen Ds5 - 65.7%
• Volkswagen Bora - 65.6%
• Hyundai Veloster - 65.6%
• SEAT Altea Xl - 65.5%
• Chrysler Grand Voyager - 65.4%
• Fiat 500 C - 65.3%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate