Used car guide · 2003–2026

Mazda 3 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Mazda 3, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 321,518 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2003 Mazda 3

Too few Mazda 3 cars first registered in 2003 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Mazda 3 as a whole.

19on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2003 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003

What usually goes wrong with a Mazda 3?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Particulate filter additive and injectors (1.6 diesel)

    Cars registered 2009–2013 · 1.6 diesel

    The 1.6 diesel's particulate filter uses an Eolys additive that needs topping up, usually around 75,000 miles, and its injectors can fail, causing power loss and warning lights.

    At the viewing: Ask whether the additive has been topped up, and watch for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 3 (2009-2013) reliability

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

    Cars registered 2014–2019 · Diesel

    The diesel’s particulate filter can clog on cars used only for short trips.

    At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for a DPF warning light.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mazda 3 (Mk3, 2014-2019) review

  • DPF and emissions faults (diesel)

    Cars registered 2020–2025 · Diesel

    Diesels have had particulate filter warnings and emissions system problems.

    At the viewing: Watch for warning lights.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 3 (2019 on) reliability

  • DPF warning lights (diesel)

    Cars registered 2009–2013 · Diesel

    Particulate filter warning lights shouldn't be ignored, as they can mean costly repairs.

    At the viewing: Make sure no DPF warning shows.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 3 (2009-2013) reliability

  • Engine software fault (built June to Oct 2019)

    Cars registered in 2020 · Built 2019

    Some cars built 14 June to 1 October 2019 may not run correctly because of an air-fuel ratio software fault. A dealer update fixes it.

    At the viewing: Ask a Mazda dealer whether the update was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 3 (2019 on) reliability

  • Infotainment glitches

    Cars registered 2014–2019 · All engines

    There are some reports of glitches and lag with the infotainment and sat nav.

    At the viewing: Try the screen, sat nav and phone connection.

    Source: Auto Express: used Mazda 3 (Mk3, 2014-2019) review

  • Minor electrical faults

    Cars registered 2020–2025 · Petrol

    Petrol cars have occasional minor faults with the infotainment screen and sensor warnings. Make sure the latest infotainment update is fitted.

    At the viewing: Use the screen and check for warnings.

    Source: What Car?: used Mazda 3 (2019 on) reliability

Common Mazda 3 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 10.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Coil springs

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Diesel

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 6.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 4.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Ball joint

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 10.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Coil springs

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Mazda 3 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2019 Mazda 3 did best (89% passed first time, 4 points above all 2019 cars) and the 2005 did worst (48%, 9 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202394%92% +2135 (small sample)
202292%89% +32,706
202189%87% +28,118
202089%87% +212,770
201989%85% +413,139
201884%83% +120,829
201776%80% -424,435
201674%77% -331,505
201573%74% -135,050
201472%70% +224,941
201370%67% +315,251
201266%64% +214,682
201159%62% -316,029
201059%60% -124,548
200956%59% -322,244
200851%57% -618,433
200752%57% -515,259
200651%56% -511,298
200548%57% -97,860
200449%57% -82,286

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Mazda 3

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the DPF additive been topped up, and have the injectors been replaced?
  2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the Mazda 3 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the Mazda 3 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the Mazda 3 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Mazda 3?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score