2004 Mazda 3 (first used 2004) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 52.5% of Mazda 3s first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 2,287 3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and noise, emissions and leaks.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda 3s first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
52.5%
of 545 first tests; all cars first used in 2004: 57.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,287
first tests, 2023–2025; 545 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
14.9%
of 545 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
95,500
middle half: 69,500–120,000 miles; all cars first used in 2004: 103,500

How the 2004 Mazda 3 MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, 3s first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 3 figure was 5.3 points lower.

2004 3All cars first used in 2004
40%50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2004, test year 2021: 53.9%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2022: 55.2%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2023: 56%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2024: 56.4%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2025: 57.8%2004 3, test year 2021: 48.4%2004 3, test year 2022: 47.7%2004 3, test year 2023: 47.5%2004 3, test year 2024: 46.9%2004 3, test year 2025: 52.5%57.8%52.5%
View this chart as a table
Test year2004 3All cars first used 20043 first tests
202148.4%53.9%1,761
202247.7%55.2%1,301
202347.5%56.0%987
202446.9%56.4%755
202552.5%57.8%545

Common 2004 Mazda 3 MOT failures

Share of the 1,178 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment56.1%
Suspension44.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks19.4%
Brakes18.6%
Body, chassis, structure18.3%
Tyres16.6%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems16.0%
Visibility13.8%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working19.3%227
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction16.6%195
Stop lamp: not working13.7%161
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength12.6%148
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect11.0%129

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2004 Mazda 3 before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.

Common 2004 Mazda 3 MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 3s, as a share of all 2,287 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge20.2%461
Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened17.9%410
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened13.7%314
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement13.2%303
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing11.8%270

Questions about the 2004 Mazda 3 MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Mazda 3?

In 2025, 52.5% of 3s first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2004 3 most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 56.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (44.7%) and noise, emissions and leaks (19.4%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (19.3%).

How often does a 2004 Mazda 3 fail its MOT?

In 2025, 47.5% of first tests on 3s first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 38.7% failed, and a further 8.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,178 of 2,287 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2004 Mazda 3 MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (17.9%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (13.7%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (13.2%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.8%).

Is a 2004 Mazda 3 reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 48.4% in 2021 to 52.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2004

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics

How the 2004 Mazda 3 MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2004 3” means a Mazda 3 whose date of first use falls in 2004 (53, 04 and 54 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2004, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.