Comparison · family SUVs

Audi Q3 vs Mazda CX-5: which is more reliable?

The Audi Q3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 107 against 103 for the Mazda CX-5, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 193,663 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi Q3

107Above average

MOT tests128,383

Mazda CX-5

103Above average

MOT tests65,280

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	Audi Q3	Mazda CX-5
3–5 years	106Above average	102About average
6–9 years	107Above average	104Above average
10–14 years	110Well above average	102Above average
15+ years	–	–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Audi Q3	Mazda CX-5
2021	91.0%	89.2%
2020	92.4%	88.2%
2019	90.5%	86.7%
2018	87.4%	85.9%
2017	85.5%	84.5%
2016	82.2%	79.3%
2015	78.8%	76.4%
2014	76.0%	72.8%
2013	73.6%	66.3%
2012	71.4%	67.2%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Audi Q3	Mazda CX-5
Suspension	6.3	6.0
Tyres	6.3	4.4
Brakes	3.5	5.2
Lights & electrics	3.3	3.6
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	2.3	3.3
Emissions & leaks	1.8	1.9
Steering	0.2	2.6
Body & chassis	0.7	0.2

Audi Q3: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken3.1%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%

Mazda CX-5: top failures

Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.8%
Coil spring: fractured or broken1.5%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi Q3 or the Mazda CX-5?

The Audi Q3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 107 against 103 for the Mazda CX-5, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Audi Q3 and Mazda CX-5 can be compared?

Both were tested for 10 registration years (2012–2021). The Audi Q3 had the higher pass rate in 10 of them and the Mazda CX-5 in 0.

What fails most on each?

Audi Q3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Mazda CX-5: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively.