Mazda 3 (2020)
2020 Mazda 3
CarHunch analysed 4,051 real MOT records for the 2020 Mazda 3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
What to check before buying a 2020 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.
- 📄 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 (100%) | 4,043 | 92.1% | 0.34 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) | 5 | 95% | 0.2 |
| Diesel (0%) | 2 | 83.3% | 1 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2020 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 2020 Mazda 3 vehicles fall between 18,761 and 34,721 miles.
2020 Mazda 3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 3,983 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2020 Mazda 3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
20.3%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
18.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
18.3%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
18.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
18%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
13.1%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
10.9%
Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
10.2%
Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2020. 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.