Car statistics
How many Mazda 3s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 104,836 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 106,844 Mazda 3s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 5,722 declared off the road (SORN). That is 13.4% fewer than the peak of 123,359 in 2018.
Numbers peaked in 2018 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 189 |
| 2004 | 9,147 |
| 2005 | 23,152 |
| 2006 | 35,877 |
| 2007 | 47,247 |
| 2008 | 58,540 |
| 2009 | 69,741 |
| 2010 | 79,685 |
| 2011 | 84,852 |
| 2012 | 90,205 |
| 2013 | 94,287 |
| 2014 | 100,834 |
| 2015 | 110,847 |
| 2016 | 118,479 |
| 2017 | 122,333 |
| 2018 | 123,359 |
| 2019 | 121,591 |
| 2020 | 119,317 |
| 2021 | 117,743 |
| 2022 | 115,087 |
| 2023 | 112,503 |
| 2024 | 109,131 |
| 2025 | 106,861 |
| 2026 | 106,844 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 68.8% of Mazda 3 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Mazda 3s tested pass 70.7% of the time, so the Mazda 3 does worse than average for its age, by 1.9 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 68.6%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Mazda 3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 91.7% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 88.5% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 84.3% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 72.5% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 65.3% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 54.1% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 49.9% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Mazda 3 fails its MOT, appearing on 46.2% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 9.2% of Mazda 3 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 46.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.0% |
| Brakes | 22.6% |
| Tyres | 20.5% |
| Visibility | 13.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.9% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.7% |
| Steering | 2.8% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Mazda 3 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 14.8% of 32,755 failed tests. 58.9% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 14.8% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.8% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 12.7% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 9.9% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.7% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 7.6% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.0% |
| Linkage ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 5.0% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.0% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 4.8% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 17.8% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 11.8% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 10.9% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 10.5% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 9.4% |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 6.4% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 6.0% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 5.3% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.1% |
| Linkage ball joint has slight play Suspension | 4.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
19 years of the Mazda 3, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2019 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (87.5% passed first time) and the 2005 cars worst (48.0%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | – | 971 | 52.5% |
| 2005 | – | 2,456 | 48.0% |
| 2006 | – | 3,208 | 51.0% |
| 2007 | – | 4,304 | 51.9% |
| 2008 | – | 5,264 | 50.7% |
| 2009 | – | 6,720 | 56.4% |
| 2010 | – | 7,595 | 57.8% |
| 2011 | – | 5,106 | 56.4% |
| 2012 | – | 4,747 | 63.2% |
| 2013 | – | 5,025 | 68.3% |
| 2014 | 9,070 | 8,191 | 70.3% |
| 2015 | 12,360 | 11,465 | 70.1% |
| 2016 | 10,948 | 10,410 | 73.0% |
| 2017 | 8,321 | 8,162 | 74.0% |
| 2018 | 7,149 | 7,020 | 82.7% |
| 2019 | 4,388 | 4,384 | 87.5% |
| 2020 | 4,258 | 4,213 | 87.2% |
| 2021 | 4,113 | 3,992 | 89.2% |
| 2022 | 2,525 | 2,414 | 92.0% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Mazda 3 covers 6,694 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 7,645 |
| 6–7 years | 7,394 |
| 8–10 years | 7,020 |
| 11–14 years | 6,619 |
| 15–19 years | 5,914 |
| 20+ years | 5,092 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Mazda 3s for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 14,549 in 2005. In 2025, 3,782 were registered.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 191 |
| ’04 | 9,151 |
| ’05 | 14,549 |
| ’06 | 13,174 |
| ’07 | 12,225 |
| ’08 | 11,201 |
| ’09 | 11,132 |
| ’10 | 10,828 |
| ’11 | 6,489 |
| ’12 | 5,619 |
| ’13 | 5,514 |
| ’14 | 8,965 |
| ’15 | 12,363 |
| ’16 | 11,023 |
| ’17 | 8,341 |
| ’18 | 7,080 |
| ’19 | 4,472 |
| ’20 | 4,271 |
| ’21 | 4,097 |
| ’22 | 2,516 |
| ’23 | 3,099 |
| ’24 | 2,564 |
| ’25 | 3,782 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 109,397 Mazda 3s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 55.4% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 31.7% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc. The share with an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc has fallen from 71.0% in 2014 to 31.7%. Petrols made up 82.5% of those licensed in 2014 and 88.3% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 60,577 licensed | 55.4% |
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 34,649 licensed | 31.7% |
| 2,101cc to 2,200cc 7,489 licensed | 6.8% |
| 2,401cc to 2,500cc 3,442 licensed | 3.1% |
| 1,301cc to 1,400cc 398 licensed | 0.4% |
| Other sizes 2,842 licensed | 2.6% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 60,420 | 55.2% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Petrol | 30,788 | 28.1% |
| 2,101–2,200cc | Diesel | 7,489 | 6.8% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Diesel | 3,854 | 3.5% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Petrol | 3,442 | 3.1% |
| 1,401–1,500cc | Diesel | 1,167 | 1.1% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,501–1,600cc | 2,101–2,200cc | 2,401–2,500cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 19.2% | 71.0% | 5.3% | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 25.3% | 63.3% | 7.1% | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 30.0% | 57.6% | 7.8% | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 33.9% | 53.6% | 8.0% | 0.0% |
| 2018 | 37.6% | 50.0% | 8.1% | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 40.4% | 47.4% | 8.2% | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 43.2% | 44.9% | 8.2% | 0.0% |
| 2021 | 46.4% | 41.9% | 8.1% | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 49.0% | 39.7% | 8.0% | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 51.6% | 37.4% | 7.7% | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 54.5% | 34.7% | 7.4% | 0.3% |
| 2025 | 55.4% | 31.7% | 6.8% | 3.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 82.5% | 17.4% |
| 2015 | 82.2% | 17.8% |
| 2016 | 82.1% | 17.8% |
| 2017 | 82.6% | 17.3% |
| 2018 | 83.2% | 16.8% |
| 2019 | 83.7% | 16.3% |
| 2020 | 84.2% | 15.8% |
| 2021 | 84.9% | 15.1% |
| 2022 | 85.5% | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 86.3% | 13.7% |
| 2024 | 87.1% | 12.9% |
| 2025 | 88.3% | 11.7% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Mazda 3 from 2004, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel and petrol hybrid versions ranges from 40.9 to 60.1 mpg, with CO2 of 114 to 157 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2004 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 29.1 to 74.3 mpg, with CO2 of 99 to 231 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 40.9–60.1 | 114–157 | 2019–2024 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 123 |
| 2.5 petrol | 44.8–47.9 | 133–141 | 2024 | Euro 6d | 8 |
| 1.8 diesel | 49.6–56.5 | 132–151 | 2019 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 12 |
| 2.0 petrol hybrid | 45.6–56.5 | 114–140 | 2022–2026 | Euro 6 to Euro 6d | 55 |
| 2.5 petrol hybrid | 44.8–47.9 | 133–141 | 2025–2026 | Euro 6 to Euro 6d | 24 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 petrol | 39.8–42.2 | 157–169 | 2004–2009 | Euro 4 | 4 |
| 1.5 petrol | 55.4 | 119 | 2014–2017 | Euro 5 to Euro 6 | 3 |
| 1.6 petrol | 35.3–44.8 | 144–191 | 2004–2013 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 22 |
| 2.0 petrol | 34.5–55.4 | 119–196 | 2004–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6b | 34 |
| 2.3 petrol | 29.1–30.1 | 219–231 | 2007–2013 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 8 |
| 1.5 diesel | 64.2–74.3 | 99–114 | 2016–2018 | Euro 6 to Euro 6b | 4 |
| 1.6 diesel | 56.5–65.7 | 115–138 | 2004–2013 | Euro 3 to Euro 5 | 15 |
| 2.0 diesel | 47.1 | 162 | 2007–2009 | Euro 4 | 3 |
| 2.2 diesel | 50.4–72.4 | 104–149 | 2009–2018 | Euro 5 to Euro 6b | 21 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 24 safety recalls for the Mazda 3 since 1992, the first in 2006. The most recent was launched on 6 November 2023.
All 24 Mazda 3 recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mazda 3. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 3 | 106,844 | −1.9% | 5,722 | 92 | Petrol |
| Mazda 2 | 137,145 | −1.3% | 4,413 | 65 | Petrol |
| Mazda CX-5 | 91,557 | +5.0% | 1,771 | 103 | Petrol |
| Mazda MX-5 | 78,233 | −2.4% | 35,069 | 113 | Petrol |
| Mazda 6 | 49,847 | −10.5% | 9,417 | 152 | Diesel |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 112,566 3 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 104,836 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
