MAZDA 3 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 12,143 MOT tests from 1,000 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)

Check the reliability of your Mazda 3

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2019	817/999Excellent	88,279 miles	3,542 vehicles
Petrol	2018	725/999Very good	85,764 miles	4,367 vehicles
Diesel	2016	659/999Good	72,948 miles	878 vehicles
Diesel	2015	617/999Good	76,579 miles	1,733 vehicles
Petrol	2015	688/999Good	77,066 miles	6,292 vehicles
Petrol	2014	663/999Good	77,473 miles	6,259 vehicles
Diesel	2012	571/999Above average	89,558 miles	1,412 vehicles
Petrol	2012	640/999Good	93,956 miles	3,655 vehicles
Diesel	2011	519/999Above average	89,985 miles	1,026 vehicles
Diesel	2009	477/999Average	78,541 miles	750 vehicles
Petrol	2009	527/999Above average	81,148 miles	2,431 vehicles
Petrol	2008	459/999Average	77,666 miles	3,398 vehicles
Diesel	2007	464/999Average	84,011 miles	506 vehicles
Petrol	2004	444/999Average	81,725 miles	2,420 vehicles

How reliable is the MAZDA 3?

Based on 12,143 MOT tests from 1,000 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

1,000

MOT tests

12,143

Pass rate

79%

Median mileage

82,776 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 660 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 2,072 advisory comments and 132 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: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 952 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 680 advisory comments and 163 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))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 311 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 254 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))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 209 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))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 195 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 173 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

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
2026	11	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	17	13	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022	18	37	94.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2021	14	45	88.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	29	134	84.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	29	165	87.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	50	348	87.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	83	754	80.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	112	1084	81.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2015	131	1448	80.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2014	103	1272	79.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2013	53	702	80.8%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	47	689	80.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	50	810	77.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	63	1085	77.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	57	1080	76.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	43	895	73.9%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	35	725	76.7%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	14	310	76.8%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2005	12	299	74.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

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.
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.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

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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