What year Mazda Mx 3 is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1997 Mazda Mx 3 has the highest pass rate at 66.6%, out of 2,004 vehicles tested.

What are the most common Mazda Mx 3 MOT failures?

The most common Mazda Mx 3 MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

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Mazda Mx 3 — Reliability by Year

9,234 vehicles · MOT data 1991–1998 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the Mazda Mx 3 was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

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Best pass rate year

1997

66.6% pass rate · 2,004 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

1992

61.2% pass rate · 1,216 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
1998	66.0%	82,344 mi	882
1997	66.6%	87,846 mi	2,004
1996	65.6%	89,055 mi	1,224
1995	66.0%	96,868 mi	1,005
1994	64.0%	101,508 mi	976
1993	63.5%	107,405 mi	1,136
1992	61.2%	111,362 mi	1,216
1991	64.5%	115,801 mi	791

Which year Mazda Mx 3 is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests.

Tests range from an average of 82,344 miles (newest year) to 115,801 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →

Trying to decide which year to buy?

We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a Mazda Mx 3.

See the buying guide →

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Check any UK registration — free MOT history and risk insights.