2017 Mazda 3 (first used 2017) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 74.0% of Mazda 3s first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 24,643 3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, brakes and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda 3s first used in 2017 (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
How the 2017 Mazda 3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 3s first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 3 figure was 4.2 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 3 | All cars first used 2017 | 3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84.9% | 85.9% | 8,273 |
| 2022 | 81.0% | 83.9% | 8,257 |
| 2023 | 77.1% | 81.7% | 8,227 |
| 2024 | 76.6% | 79.8% | 8,227 |
| 2025 | 74.0% | 78.2% | 8,189 |
Common 2017 Mazda 3 MOT failures
Share of the 5,935 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 41.4% | 2,455 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 14.5% | 860 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 7.7% | 459 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 7.1% | 420 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 6.2% | 370 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a 3 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2017 Mazda 3 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2017 Mazda 3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 3s, as a share of all 24,643 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 15.5% | 3,831 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.9% | 3,179 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.1% | 2,985 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.6% | 2,863 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 9.3% | 2,295 |
Questions about the 2017 Mazda 3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Mazda 3?
In 2025, 74.0% of 3s first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 3 most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 50.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (24.9%) and tyres (23.4%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (41.4%).
How often does a 2017 Mazda 3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 26.0% of first tests on 3s first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 23.3% failed, and a further 2.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 5,935 of 24,643 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Mazda 3 MOT advisories?
“Brake pads: wearing thin” (on 15.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (12.9%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.1%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.6%) and “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (9.3%).
Is a 2017 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 84.9% in 2021 to 74.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
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