Mazda 3 (2012)
2012 Mazda 3
CarHunch analysed 5,577 real MOT records for the 2012 Mazda 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2012 Mazda 3
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 46.1% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Mazda 3
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (62%) | 3,456 | 83.3% | 2.38 |
| Diesel (38%) | 2,119 | 80.6% | 2.62 |
| Gas Diesel (0%) | 1 | 73.3% | 4 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Mazda 3 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2012 Mazda 3 vehicles fall between 42,414 and 69,484 miles.
2012 Mazda 3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 4,540 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 84% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Mazda 3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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58.3%
Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened
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53.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
52.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
38.4%
Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play
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35.8%
Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play
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32.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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31.3%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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29.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Mazda 3?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.