Does the Mazda CX-3 fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Mazda CX-3 records 0.28 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 0.95 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.67, 95% interval −0.72 to −0.61). It ranks 396 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Mazda CX-3 by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Mazda CX-3 is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 159 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 159 | 0.14 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 52 | 0.04 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 33 | 0.03 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 33 | 0.03 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 115,726 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Mazda CX-3 2015 · Mazda CX-3 2016 · Mazda CX-3 2017 · Mazda CX-3 2018 · Mazda CX-3 2019 · Mazda CX-3 in Norway · Mazda CX-3 in Finland · Mazda CX-3 in the Netherlands · Mazda CX-3 by postcode area · Mazda CX-3 body, chassis and structure failures · Mazda CX-3 brakes failures · Mazda CX-3 vehicle identification failures · Mazda CX-3 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Mazda CX-3 road wheels failures · Mazda CX-3 seat belts and airbags failures · Mazda CX-3 steering failures · Mazda CX-3 suspension failures · Mazda CX-3 tyres failures · Mazda CX-3 visibility failures