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Mazda
E Series
1,837 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where E Seriess pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 10.2 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
67.3%
Pass-after-fix
3.5%
Fail
27.7%
Avg miles
118,430
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
E Series: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 1,142 MOT tests, the E Series returns 67.5% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A torn suspension dust cover and a torn steering gaiter round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 118,542, 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
Group 12–30
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 →
12–30
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
146 occurrences · 7.9% of tests
- 02
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
100 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 03
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
100 occurrences · 5.4% of tests
- 04
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
84 occurrences · 4.6% of tests
- 05
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
72 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
60 occurrences · 3.3% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
49 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
- 08
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
46 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 09
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
43 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 10
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
38 occurrences · 2.1% 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
£170–£560
If every one of this E Series'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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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
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.
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Parts & supplies for this fix
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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
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Autotek
Autotek Mazda Brilliant Black 300ml
£14.29
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Buying or keeping an E Series?
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 an E Series 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.