Mazda

Mazda 3 (2013)

5,504 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84% first-time pass rate

2013 Mazda 3

CarHunch analysed 5,504 real MOT records for the 2013 Mazda 3. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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On this page
AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Mazda 3 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 84%, which is a decent sign—but 44% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is notably high and worth investigating on any used example you're considering. Petrol versions hold a small advantage over diesels, passing at 84.8% versus 81.4%, suggesting the petrol engines are marginally more robust long-term.

At 50,600 miles median for a 2013, these cars are running at typical mileage for their age, so you're not dealing with either bargain-basement runners or suspiciously low-mileage examples. The 15.2 advisories per vehicle signal that wear items (brakes, tyres, suspension) accumulate steadily, and with 2 failures on average when they do fail, before buying one get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brake condition and suspension components—these are the areas where this generation tends to need attention.

The 2013 Mazda 3 has a decent first-time pass rate (84%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
84%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
44%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
2.04
Over 11.7 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
51k
Middle half: 38k–64k
For context
🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.2 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 5,504 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 5,504 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 47.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 45.1%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Suspension & steering 22.7%
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken · Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Other issues 18.8%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 5,504 Mazda 3 cars.

UK

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 3.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

84.8%
Petrol
4,146 vehicles
81.5%
Diesel
1,358 vehicles

Before you buy a 2013 Mazda 3

Based on MOT data from 5,504 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 44% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (75%) 4,146 84.8% 1.94
Diesel (25%) 1,358 81.5% 2.33

Colour Breakdown

Based on 162,087 Mazda 3 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 23.1%
37,420
Grey 19%
30,747
Silver 18.1%
29,403
Red 16.5%
26,683
Black 13.2%
21,382
White 9.4%
15,266
Green 0.4%
671
Purple 0.3%
449
Bronze 0%
22
Brown 0%
17
Multi-colour 0%
15
Maroon 0%
12

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 Mazda 3 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

50,606
typical
38,130
low mileage
63,654
high mileage

Half of all 2013 Mazda 3 vehicles fall between 38,130 and 63,654 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 38,130 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
38,130–63,654 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Mazda 3s sit.
Over 85,932 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Mazda 3 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2013 Mazda 3s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 4,876 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.

5,337 4,876 2016 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

11.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.04
Avg failures per vehicle
15.2
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Mazda 3: All 3 years → Which year to buy? →
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Or browse all models: Mazda →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Mazda 3 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing