At a Glance
The Mazda E-series has 36 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the 3rd gen (1983-1999) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 55K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Mazda E-series common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Mazda E-series generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Mazda E-series owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Browse Mazda E-series Generations
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Most Common Mazda E-series MOT Failures
Every reason Mazda E-series vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 15.87% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.07% |
| 3 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.46% |
| 4 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 4.93% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 4.61% |
| 6 | Exhaust system fault | 4.27% |
| 7 | Tyre condition | 3.57% |
| 8 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.54% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.35% |
| 10 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 3.21% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.15% |
| 12 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.75% |
| 13 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.55% |
| 14 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.53% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.38% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.31% |
| 17 | Track rod end worn | 2.14% |
| 18 | Chassis condition | 1.88% |
| 19 | Front lamp not working | 1.84% |
| 20 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.68% |
| 21 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 1.36% |
| 22 | Headlamp fault | 1.31% |
| 23 | Parking brake condition | 1.28% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 1.25% |
| 25 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.20% |
| 26 | Front suspension fault | 1.01% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.80% |
| 28 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.61% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.61% |
| 30 | Rear suspension fault | 0.60% |
| 31 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.59% |
| 32 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.57% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.47% |
| 34 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 35 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.39% |
| 36 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.38% |
| 37 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.36% |
| 38 | Steering free play excessive | 0.35% |
| 39 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 40 | Electrical switch fault | 0.31% |
| 41 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.30% |
| 42 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.25% |
| 43 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.25% |
| 44 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.25% |
| 45 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.21% |
| 46 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.20% |
| 47 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.20% |
| 48 | Brake lever fault | 0.20% |
| 49 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.19% |
| 50 | Indicator fault | 0.18% |
| 51 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.17% |
| 52 | Passenger seat fault | 0.17% |
| 53 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.17% |
| 54 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 55 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.14% |
| 56 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.14% |
| 57 | Body security fault | 0.13% |
| 58 | Steering arm worn | 0.13% |
| 59 | Steering operation fault | 0.13% |
| 60 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.13% |
| 61 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.13% |
| 62 | Universal joint worn | 0.13% |
| 63 | Spare wheel fault | 0.12% |
| 64 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.12% |
| 65 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.12% |
| 66 | Power steering pump fault | 0.12% |
| 67 | Driver seat fault | 0.11% |
| 68 | Driveshaft fault | 0.11% |
| 69 | ABS fault | 0.10% |
| 70 | Steering drive system fault | 0.10% |
| 71 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.10% |
| 72 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.10% |
| 73 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 74 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.09% |
| 75 | Rear lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 76 | Airbag warning light on | 0.09% |
| 77 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 78 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.09% |
| 79 | Brake fluid leak | 0.08% |
| 80 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 81 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.08% |
| 82 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.08% |
| 83 | Horn not working | 0.07% |
| 84 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 85 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.07% |
| 86 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 87 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.06% |
| 88 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 89 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 90 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 91 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.06% |
| 92 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 93 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.06% |
| 94 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.05% |
| 95 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 96 | Steering column fault | 0.05% |
| 97 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.05% |
| 98 | Spring saddle corroded | 0.04% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 100 | Towbar fault | 0.04% |
| 101 | Brake linkage mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 102 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.04% |
| 103 | Brake relay lever fault | 0.04% |
| 104 | Steering shaft fault | 0.03% |
| 105 | Front passenger door fault | 0.03% |
| 106 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.03% |
| 107 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 108 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 109 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 110 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 111 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 112 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 113 | Steering coupling worn | 0.03% |
| 114 | Brake pedal fault | 0.02% |
| 115 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.02% |
| 116 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 117 | Leaf spring slipper worn | 0.02% |
| 118 | Transmission oil leak | 0.02% |
| 119 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.02% |
| 120 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Steering box fault | 0.02% |
| 122 | Step damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 123 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 124 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 125 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.01% |
| 126 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 131 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake pedal movement restricted | <0.01% |
| 134 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 135 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 140 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 147 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 148 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 150 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 152 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 156 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
Showing all 161 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Mazda E-series MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Mazda E-series, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Mazda E-series problems?
Based on analysis of 55K Mazda E-series MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 36 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake performance below minimum". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Mazda E-series generation has the most problems?
The Mazda E-series 3rd gen (1983-1999) (1983–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (51). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Mazda E-series?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Mazda E-series owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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