Mazda Mazda3 — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Mazda Mazda3 overview
With 109,371 currently licensed in the UK, the Mazda Mazda3 is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Mazda3 5 stars in 2019, with 98% adult occupant and 87% child protection scores.
It has a 81.2% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, brakes, lighting.
Annual running costs are estimated at £3,220 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £268/month or 44p/mile.
NCAP Safety
2019
MOT Pass Rate
81.2%
65,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£268
est. annual total
New From
£26,000
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the Mazda3 in 2019 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
98%
Child Occupant
87%
Pedestrian
81%
Safety Assist
73%
Safety recalls
There are 18 known DVSA recalls affecting the Mazda Mazda3. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2023/312
On affected vehicles the images from the rear view / 360� cameras may not display.
Build dates: 2023-04-06 to 2023-08-23
R/2021/435
The impeller in the low-pressure fuel pump may become deformed causing fuel pump failure.
Build dates: 2018-04-23 to 2019-01-26
R/2021/273
The plastic logo on the steering wheel centre may shatter and project fragments into the vehicle interior during an air bag deployment.
Build dates: 2020-05-19 to 2020-11-24
R/2020/009
Vehicles may unexpectedly stop due to inadvertent activation of the automated Smart Brake Support (SBS) system
Build dates: 2018-11-06 to 2019-10-19
R/2020/010
The engine may stall or fail to restart in some driving situations
Build dates: 2018-11-07 to 2019-09-05
+ 13 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Reliability & MOT
Based on 65,000 MOT tests, the Mazda3 has a first-time pass rate of 81.2% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Mazda3 is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Mazda Mazda3 are estimated at around £3,220 per year, or £268 per month.
Fuel
£1,445
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,050
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The Mazda3 achieves a combined fuel economy of around 39.8 mpg (31.7 mpg urban, 46.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAZDA3 | PETROL | 39.8 mpg | 1.3L |
| MAZDA3 | PETROL | 55.4 mpg | 1.5L |
| MAZDA3 | DIESEL | 65.7 mpg | 1.6L |
| MAZDA3 | PETROL | 44.8 mpg | 1.6L |
| MAZDA3 | DIESEL | 56.5 mpg | 1.6L |
| MAZDA3 | DIESEL | 55.4 mpg | 1.8L |
| MAZDA3 | PETROL | 44.8 mpg | 2.0L |
| MAZDA3 | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 46.3 mpg | 2.0L |
Depreciation
Starting from £26,000 new, a Mazda Mazda3 typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £19,500 | −£6,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £16,600 | −£9,400 |
| 3 years | 56% | £14,600 | −£11,400 |
| 4 years | 50% | £13,150 | −£12,850 |
| 5 years | 46% | £12,100 | −£13,900 |
| 6 years | 43% | £11,250 | −£14,750 |
| 7 years | 41% | £10,550 | −£15,450 |
| 8 years | 39% | £10,050 | −£15,950 |
| 9 years | 37% | £9,550 | −£16,450 |
| 10 years | 35% | £9,050 | −£16,950 |
How common is the Mazda3?
There are currently 109,371 licensed and 6,032 SORN Mazda3s in the UK (115,403 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
The Mazda3 has a 81.2% first-time MOT pass rate based on 65,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Mazda Mazda3?
Euro NCAP awarded the Mazda3 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2019. It scored 98% for adult occupant protection, 87% for child occupant protection, 81% for vulnerable road users, and 73% for safety assist features.
How much does a Mazda Mazda3 cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Mazda3 are estimated at around £3,220 per year (£268/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Mazda Mazda3?
There are 18 known safety recalls affecting the Mazda3. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
How much does a new Mazda Mazda3 cost?
A new Mazda3 starts from around £26,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
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