Used car guide

2018 Mazda 3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Mazda 3s, from 7,048 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,048MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
6,700typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Mazda 3s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Mazda 3
    18.3% All 2018 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Rigid brake pipes8.9× usual
    Mazda 3
    7.1% All 2018 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Coil springs2.5× usual
    Mazda 3
    4.2% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.3% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2018 Mazda 3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    10% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Mazda 3?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,569Tyres 24%
20214,089Tyres 25%
20204,323Tyres 28%
20194,461Tyres 30%
20178,198Brakes 34%
201610,503Brakes 34%
201511,663Brakes 35%
20148,180Brakes 35%
20135,008Suspension 45%
20124,696Suspension 52%
20115,081Suspension 53%
20107,577Suspension 56%
20096,643Suspension 57%
20085,313Suspension 63%
20074,171Suspension 63%
20062,935Suspension 62%
20051,965Suspension 62%
2004552Suspension 61%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Mazda 3s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score