Mazda 3 (2016)
2016 Mazda 3
CarHunch analysed 10,805 real MOT records for the 2016 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 2.1 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 37.3% 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 (80%) | 8,650 | 84.4% | 1.45 |
| Diesel (20%) | 2,155 | 82.3% | 1.62 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Mazda 3 vehicles fall between 31,119 and 54,433 miles.
2016 Mazda 3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 10,128 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Mazda 3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
42.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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37.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
26.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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25.9%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
24.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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24.5%
Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken
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23.6%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.