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Mazda MX-3 statistics

How many Mazda MX-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.

Last updated
Records analysed
540 MX-3 records (licensed and SORN)
Methodology
View methodology
  • Licensed in Great Britain 114 −15.6% on a year earlier
  • Declared SORN 426 Off the road, not taxed
  • Rank by number licensed No. 1,130 of 1,159 models we cover
  • Peak year 2001 10,331 licensed
  • Declared off the road 78.9% of those still registered are SORN
  • Most common fuel Petrol 99.1% of those licensed

How many Mazda MX-3s are left in Great Britain?

There were 114 Mazda MX-3s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 426 declared off the road (SORN). That is 98.9% fewer than the peak of 10,331 in 2001.

Mazda MX-3s licensed in Great Britain

Numbers peaked in 2001 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.

Mazda MX-3s licensed in Great Britain at the end of each year
Year Licensed
1994 4,751
1995 5,831
1996 7,057
1997 8,999
1998 10,017
1999 10,232
2000 10,268
2001 10,331
2002 10,236
2003 9,912
2004 9,552
2005 8,832
2006 7,922
2007 6,913
2008 5,757
2009 4,583
2010 3,468
2011 2,511
2012 1,838
2013 1,305
2014 982
2015 752
2016 594
2017 468
2018 376
2019 295
2020 246
2021 212
2022 193
2023 156
2024 133
2025 118
2026 114

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Fuel type

Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated

Mazda MX-3 MOT reliability

There were not enough MOT tests of Mazda MX-3s in 2025 to publish reliable figures: we need at least 1,000 tests of cars aged three and over. Cars have their first MOT at three years old, so newer models appear once they reach that age. How we work out MOT figures.

Mazda MX-3 engine sizes and fuel types

Of the 119 Mazda MX-3s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 62.2% have an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc, and 36.1% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc. The share with an engine of 1,801cc to 1,900cc has grown from 55.4% in 2014 to 62.2%.

Engine sizes, end of 2025

DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.

Mazda MX-3s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, by engine size
Engine size Share of those licensed
1,801cc to 1,900cc 74 licensed 62.2%
1,501cc to 1,600cc 43 licensed 36.1%
Other sizes 2 licensed 1.7%

Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated

Engine size and fuel together, end of 2025
Engine size Fuel Licensed Share
1,801–1,900cc Petrol 73 61.3%
1,501–1,600cc Petrol 43 36.1%

Engine sizes, 2014 to 2025

Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.

Mazda MX-3s licensed in the UK by engine size, share of each year’s total
Year 1,801–1,900cc1,501–1,600cc
2014 55.4%42.9%
2015 56.0%42.2%
2016 56.0%41.7%
2017 55.6%42.5%
2018 57.3%40.9%
2019 58.8%39.5%
2020 57.3%40.7%
2021 58.9%38.8%
2022 62.9%35.6%
2023 62.7%34.8%
2024 61.8%36.8%
2025 62.2%36.1%

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.

Mazda MX-3 safety recalls

DVSA lists 2 safety recalls for the Mazda MX-3 since 1992, the first in 1997. The most recent was launched on 30 September 2016.

Fire may occur

Launched 30 September 2016 DVSA recall R/2016/210 Manufacturer ref. AF050A

Defect
Carbonised grease may accumulate between the contact points in the ignition switch reducing the insulation performance inside the switch. In this condition the switch may generate heat resulting in smoke and in the worst case a fire.
Remedy
On affected vehicles replace the ignition switch.
Vehicles affected
84,062 across everything the recall covers
Built
Build dates not given
Also covers

The other recall

  • 22 Oct 1997 Fracture of front suspension coil spring (8,525 (all models) vehicles)

A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Mazda MX-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

Compare the Mazda MX-3 with other Mazda models

Mazda MX-3 compared with other Mazda models
Model Licensed Change on a year SORN Rank Main fuel
Mazda MX-3 114 −15.6% 426 1130 Petrol
Mazda 2 137,145 −1.3% 4,413 65 Petrol
Mazda 3 106,844 −1.9% 5,722 92 Petrol
Mazda CX-5 91,557 +5.0% 1,771 103 Petrol
Mazda MX-5 78,233 −2.4% 35,069 113 Petrol

More Mazda models

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Licensed and SORN counts Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport End of March 2026 540 MX-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
  • Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
  • Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
  • First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
  • Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.