MAZDA 3 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,972 MOT tests from 477 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MAZDA 3 has the same fault.

MAZDA 3's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 591/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MAZDA 3 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the MAZDA 3.

MAZDA 3 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	817/999Excellent	88,279 miles	3,542 vehicles
N/A	N/A	725/999Very good	85,764 miles	4,367 vehicles
N/A	N/A	688/999Good	77,066 miles	6,292 vehicles
N/A	N/A	663/999Good	77,473 miles	6,259 vehicles
N/A	N/A	659/999Good	72,948 miles	878 vehicles
N/A	N/A	640/999Good	93,956 miles	3,655 vehicles
N/A	N/A	617/999Good	76,579 miles	1,733 vehicles
N/A	N/A	571/999Above average	89,558 miles	1,412 vehicles
N/A	N/A	527/999Above average	81,148 miles	2,431 vehicles
N/A	N/A	519/999Above average	89,985 miles	1,026 vehicles
N/A	N/A	477/999Average	78,541 miles	750 vehicles
N/A	N/A	464/999Average	84,011 miles	506 vehicles
N/A	N/A	459/999Average	77,666 miles	3,398 vehicles
N/A	N/A	444/999Average	81,725 miles	2,420 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA 3?

Based on 5,972 MOT tests from 477 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

477

MOT tests

5,972

Pass rate

79.5%

Median mileage

82,553 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MAZDA 3 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 654 out of 999.

Common MAZDA 3 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,007 advisory comments and 68 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 507 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 332 advisory comments and 82 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 216 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR SUSPENSION ARM CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 171 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 148 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 107 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 77 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

MAZDA 3 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2023	9	9	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022	6	12	100%	Tyre wear
2021	7	21	95.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	10	47	91.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	16	94	86.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	20	136	88.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	42	389	79.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	45	422	84.1%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2015	55	615	79%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2014	52	638	79.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	29	374	83.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	22	321	82.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	24	388	79.4%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2010	30	513	76.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2009	34	634	76.5%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2008	29	602	75.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	18	377	77.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	6	116	83.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2005	5	117	78.6%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used MAZDA 3

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a MAZDA 3?

Common problems tell you what can affect MAZDA 3s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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