Mazda
5,432 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where CX 30s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 14.0 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
91.5%
Pass-after-fix
2.0%
Fail
6.2%
Avg miles
24,869
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Performance by cohort
2 year bands · 5,432 tests
Pass rate climbs 1.0 points across the cohorts — newer CX 30 examples clear the test more reliably than the early cars.
Pass
90.8%
Fail
7.0%
PRS
1.9%
Avg mileage at test
26,694 mi
Pass
91.8%
Fail
5.7%
PRS
2.1%
Avg mileage at test
23,785 mi
Cohort = vehicle's first-registration year band. Same model, different generations of build.
The picture
Across 1,287 MOT tests, the Cx-30 returns 92.8% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a seriously damaged tyre. A defective wiper blade and wipers that don't clear the screen round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 20,595, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
18–26
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A tyre seriously damaged
75 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
45 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
41 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
34 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
Wiper blade defective
32 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
29 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
23 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
A tyre seriously damaged
13 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
10 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
8 occurrences · 0.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£120–£250
If every one of this CX 30's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Year-band analysis
First-time MOT pass rate split by registration band. A 1.0-point gap between bands is modest — the year you buy Mazda CX 30 makes a small but real difference to MOT outcomes.
Best band to buy
91.8%
2021+ registration
the 2021-on band climbs to 91.8% — a 1.0-point improvement. Failures here are mostly wear items: has a cut in excess of the…, less than 1.5 mm thick — the structural issues that drag down older examples don't appear in the top-10 for this band. Post-2020 examples are early in their MOT life and generally show the cleanest records.
Band to be cautious about
90.8%
2018–2020 registration
On the 2018–2020 band, the data shows a 90.8% pass rate against a fleet average of 91.8% on the newer band. The main culprits logged at test: has a cut in excess of the…, does not clear the windscreen effectively, and damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view. Average mileage on test for this band is 26,694 miles — high-mileage wear items are a recurring theme.
Best band to buy: 2021+ (91.8% first-time pass). Worst band to avoid: 2018-2020 (90.8% pass). That's a 1.0-point spread across 2,023 older tests and 3,409 newer ones — year of build makes a material difference on this model.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Brake pad measurement gauge
Testers fail pads under 1.5mm. A wear gauge tells you if you've got two months left or two weeks.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades
Cheap wipers fail the test on smear streaks. Bosch Aerotwins last a winter and clear a screen properly.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Draper
Draper Drain Plug Key, 3/8 Square x 3/8 Sq. Dr.
£15.39
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Hycote
Hycote Mazda Silver Stone Double Acrylic Spray Paint 150ml
£6.59
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Autotek
Autotek Mazda Arctic White 300ml
£14.29
View at My Motor World →
Autotek
Autotek Mazda Brilliant Black 300ml
£14.29
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Click Mechanic · affiliate
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
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Recall history
The CX 30 has 3 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a CX 30 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.
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