2007 Mazda 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 39,608 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Mazda 3, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.5% was below the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.1% in the 150k+ group versus 13.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 7,142 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.8% | 7,041 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 2,807 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.4% | 2,526 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 2,226 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 1,808 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 3,901 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,630 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,585 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 2,550 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 2,354 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,822 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 47.3% | 18,756 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.8% | 11,823 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.0% | 10,315 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 6,799 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 6,220 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.5% | 4,958 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 448 | 13.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,701 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 10,892 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 13,672 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 7,867 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 3,021 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 38,072 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 1,536 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,200 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 9,123 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 7,995 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 6,808 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 5,482 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 3
Before buying a 2007 Mazda 3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (7.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2007 Mazda 3s pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 39,608 2007 Mazda 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Mazda 3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by suspension (17.8%).
Does the 2007 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 39,608 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.