2018 Mazda 3 (first used 2018) MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 82.7% of Mazda 3s first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 21,179 3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Mazda 3s first used in 2018 (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 2018 Mazda 3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, 3s first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the 3 figure was 1.8 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 3 | All cars first used 2018 | 3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.0% | 87.6% | 7,190 |
| 2022 | 87.6% | 86.3% | 7,094 |
| 2023 | 84.6% | 84.2% | 7,071 |
| 2024 | 83.5% | 82.5% | 7,056 |
| 2025 | 82.7% | 80.9% | 7,052 |
Common 2018 Mazda 3 MOT failures
Share of the 3,474 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 20.0% | 695 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 17.0% | 590 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 13.4% | 467 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 10.6% | 368 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.0% | 242 |
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 2018 Mazda 3 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- 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.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2018 Mazda 3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 3s, as a share of all 21,179 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 16.0% | 3,381 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.6% | 2,675 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 12.6% | 2,658 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.5% | 2,646 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 5.0% | 1,065 |
Questions about the 2018 Mazda 3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Mazda 3?
In 2025, 82.7% of 3s first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 31.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (29.2%) and suspension (23.9%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (20.0%).
How often does a 2018 Mazda 3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 17.3% of first tests on 3s first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 14.8% failed, and a further 2.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,474 of 21,179 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Mazda 3 MOT advisories?
“Brake pads: wearing thin” (on 16.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (12.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (12.6%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.5%) and “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (5.0%).
Is a 2018 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 91.0% in 2021 to 82.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
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