2017 Mazda Cx - 3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 26,574 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Mazda Cx - 3, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and brakes. Its pass rate of 91.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (87.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 18.3% in the 120-150k group versus 5.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 934 |
| 2 | Visibility | 3.1% | 832 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.7% | 726 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 427 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.5% | 409 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 174 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 782 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 536 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 399 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 297 |
| 5 | Washers | 230 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 179 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.8% | 6,045 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.6% | 4,938 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 1,520 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 1,087 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.0% | 789 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 340 |
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 | 9,030 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 13,231 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,676 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 545 | 16.2% |
| 120-150k | 71 | 18.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,042 | 8.7% |
| Diesel | 3,532 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,169 | 5.7% |
| 2022 | 5,277 | 7.8% |
| 2023 | 5,340 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 5,337 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 5,451 | 11.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Cx - 3
Before buying a 2017 Mazda Cx - 3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (3.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Brakes (2.7% 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 2017 Mazda Cx - 3s pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 26,574 2017 Mazda Cx - 3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Mazda Cx - 3?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by visibility (3.1%).
Does the 2017 Cx - 3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 18.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,574 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.