MOT failure rate and common problems for the Mazda Rx-3, and how to check your own car by registration.
Updated 05 September 2026.
Mazda Rx-3 MOT failure rate
What a Mazda Rx-3 fails its MOT on, and the part that fixes each.
What it fails on, and why
Suspension failures usually mean a worn or snapped coil spring, a leaking shock absorber, or play in a lower arm ball joint or bush. The tester checks for corrosion, fractures and excessive movement. A broken front spring is one of the most common failures on higher-mileage cars and is a straightforward replacement.
Brake failures cover worn pads and discs, an imbalance between wheels, corroded or scored discs, or a binding caliper. Braking efficiency is measured on a rolling road, so a spongy or pulling brake shows up as a low reading.
Exhaust failures cover leaks, insecure mountings and emissions over the limit. A blowing exhaust, a failed lambda reading or a diesel that smokes beyond the limit will fail.
Seat-belt failures are frays, cuts, corroded anchorages, or a belt that will not lock under a sharp pull or retract properly.
A missing, damaged, dirty or incorrectly-spaced number plate, or one using the wrong font, will fail. A replacement plate is inexpensive.
Lighting is the single most common MOT failure and the cheapest to put right. A blown headlight, brake-light or number-plate bulb, a cracked lens, or a headlamp beam that points too high or low will all fail. Most are a two-minute bulb swap.
The parts that fix each
If your car has just failed, you have 10 working days to fix the items and get a free partial retest. Confirm the exact fitment against your registration or VIN before buying.
Other models
Questions and answers
What is the MOT failure rate of the Mazda Rx-3?
It fails 13.8% of its MOT tests across the DVSA record, from 58 tests.
What do these cars fail their MOT on most?
The most common failure area is suspension, at 37.5% of this model's failures.