Used Mazda 3 2019-present reliability
Category: Family car
A stylish and sophisticated family car, the Mazda 3 is well worth considering as a used buy, although its reliability is a little concerning.
What should I look for in a used Mazda 3 hatchback?
Make sure that a Mazda dealer has applied the latest infotainment software update to make sure that continues to run smoothly. There has also been a safety recall that requires a software update which is described in the following chapter.
What are the most common problems with a used Mazda 3 hatchback?
Engine software
An issue with the software controlling the air and fuel ratio could mean that engines in some examples built between 14 June and 1 October 2019 won't run correctly. Speak to a Mazda dealer to find out if your car is affected by this, and have the relevant software updated.
Check with your local Mazda dealer that this and any other recalls have all had the remedial work carried out. You can check if your vehicle is affected by any recalls by checking on the government website here.
Is a used Mazda 3 hatchback reliable?
Perhaps surprisingly, the Mazda 3 had a rather disappointing finish in our most recent 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey. It finished in 22nd place out of 26 cars in the family car class, with an overall score of 85.4%.
Mazda as a brand managed a 16th-place finish out of 31 car manufacturers with an overall score of 91.1%. This placed it above Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen, but below BMW, Honda, Kia and Toyota.
Used Mazda 3 reliability: the owners' view
As part of our annual Reliability Survey, What Car? readers shared mixed experiences with the Mazda 3.
Many praised its overall dependability, with several owners reporting largely trouble-free motoring. However, some diesel models have been less reliable, with issues including warning lights for the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and problems with the emissions system.
A few petrol owners mentioned occasional electrical faults, such as malfunctioning infotainment screens and sensor warnings, but these were typically minor and easily resolved.
Dealer service received mixed feedback. While some praised Mazda’s dealerships for their efficiency and professionalism, others reported frustration with long wait times for repairs and high costs for out-of-warranty fixes. A few owners felt dealers were slow to acknowledge known issues, particularly with diesel models.
Overall, while the Mazda 3 is reasonably reliable, diesel owners in particular have faced more issues, and dealer service experiences vary depending on location.
If you'd like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
