How many miles can a Mazda 3 last? When you’re in the market for a new or second-hand Mazda 3, that’s, of course, a very reasonable question to ask. After all, you’re probably looking to get the most bang for your buck. In this blog, we’ll look at the most popular models but first, let’s start with a quick answer:
On average, a Mazda 3 lasts between 200,000 – 230,000 miles. A Mazda 3 needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.33 times per year, with a 10% chance of the problem being severe. Furthermore, Mazda 3 owners spend an average of $433 per year on repair costs.
Having said that, we’re certainly not done. Below we’ll first explain in more detail how many miles a Mazda 3 can last. After that, we’ll compare the Mazda 3 to its main competitors in terms of potential mileage, and we’ll also compare the Mazda 3 to other Mazda’s. Furthermore, we also discuss the common problems that a Mazda 3 can have, how much maintenance will cost per year and how to maintain a Mazda 3. Read on!
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How Many Miles Can A Mazda 3 Last?
To know how many miles a Mazda 3 can last, we first researched. For this, we went to autotrader.com. Here, we selected all Mazda 3’s for sale in the United States. This gave us a total of 7,536 cars to work with.
Then, we divided the Mazda 3’s into groups based on the number of miles they had driven. Doing so can give us a better understanding of how many of them reach higher mileages and, therefore, how reliable the 3 are. The results are displayed in the table below.
We found here that the Mazda 3 seems to be a reliable car in terms of mileage. 3.93% of the Mazda 3’s for sale had a mileage of 150,000 miles or higher. Usually, this number is between 3-5% making the 3 reasonably average. Also, quite a big group of Mazda 3’s have passed the 100,000 miles mark. Furthermore, there’s also an influential group that hasn’t passed the 45,000 miles mark. This is normal given that most Mazda 3’s are still relatively new.
Amount Of Miles | Percentage Of Cars |
Cars With 150.000+ | 3.93% |
Cars With 100.000 – 149.000 | 10.68% |
Cars With 45.000 – 99.999 | 19.82% |
Cars With 0 – 44.999 | 65.56% |
Furthermore, it’s also essential to look at the Mazda 3’s and see the highest recorded mileage. The reason for doing so is that this gives us a better understanding of what this car is capable of when taken care of properly and when pushed to its limits. We found that the Mazda 3 had a highest recorded mileage of 280,000 miles during this research. This is, of course, a very high number and speaks in favor of the 3.
Also read: The Absolute Best Year Of The Mazda 3
How Reliable Is A Mazda 3 Compared To Its Competitors?
Besides knowing how reliable the Mazda 3 is in its own right, we also have to compare the car to its competitors. This gives us a better understanding of how good and reliable the car is in terms of mileage.
We found here that the Mazda 3 ends up in the upper range of its competitors when looking at the percentage of cars that cross the 150,000 miles mark. 3.93% leaves the Hyundai Elantra in the dust and outperforms the Chevrolet Cruze. However, the Ford Focus is the best in this category with a strong 6.41%.
When we look at the highest recorded mileage, the Mazda 3 does seem to be the top performer by quite some margin. The Elantra comes close with 260,000 miles, and the Focus and Cruze both put up a respectable 240,000 miles. However, it does seem that the Mazda 3 is one of the most reliable cars in its class.
Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150.000+ | Highest Mileage |
Mazda Mazda3 | 7,536 | 296 | 3.93% | 280,000 |
Hyundai Elantra | 22923 | 360 | 1.57% | 260,000 |
Ford Focus | 8141 | 522 | 6.41% | 240,000 |
Chevrolet Cruze | 9995 | 341 | 3.41% | 240,000 |
How Reliable Is A Mazda 3 Compared To Other Mazda’s?
Finally, it’s also essential to compare the Mazda 3 to other Mazda’s. The reason for this is that this gives us a better understanding of the quality standards that Mazda has and how the 3 performs within its own family. We found here that the Mazda 3 seems to be the most reliable Mazda that has been produced in recent years. The 3.93% outperforms the Mazda 6 slightly but is a lot stronger than, for example, the MX-5 Miata, which has also been on the market for quite some time now.
Furthermore, when looking at the highest recorded mileage, we conclude that the Mazda 3 is a strong car overall. The 3 is outperformed slightly by the CX-5 and CX-9 but performs better than all other cars in the Mazda family.
Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150.000+ | Highest Mileage |
Mazda Mazda3 | 7,536 | 296 | 3.93% | 280,000 |
Mazda Mazda6 | 4,394 | 159 | 3.62% | 260,000 |
Mazda MX-5 Miata | 1,063 | 13 | 1.22% | 200,000 |
Mazda CX-3 | 1,528 | 4 | 0.02% | 175,000 |
Mazda CX-5 | 20,714 | 102 | 1.94% | 300,000 |
Mazda CX-9 | 5,260 | 131 | 2.49% | 290,000 |
How Much Does Maintenance Cost Per Year?
Besides knowing how many miles a car can drive, it’s also essential to know how much that car costs in maintenance per year. The reason for this is that this gives you a much clearer picture of whether a car is worth buying or not.
To get this information, we used data from repairpal.com. Here we found the repair costs for each specific model year of the Mazda 3. These are stated in the table below.
We found that the Mazda 3 seems to be a relatively inexpensive car to own. On average, Mazda 3 owners spend $433 on maintenance per year. The 2015 – 2018 models currently seem to be the least expensive to own in terms of maintenance. This is, of course, logical given that these cars are newer and require less maintenance overall.
However, the pre-2015 models are also affordable, and the most expensive year (2009) only costs $462 per year. This means that the Mazda 3 is not only a car capable of doing higher mileage but is also affordable to keep up with over the years.
Year Of Manufacturing | Mazda 3 Maintenance Cost |
2018 | $ 338 |
2017 | $ 369 |
2016 | $ 374 |
2015 | $ 400 |
2014 | $ 440 |
2013 | $ 460 |
2012 | $ 459 |
2011 | $ 454 |
2010 | $ 445 |
2009 | $ 462 |
2008 | $ 446 |
2007 | $ 408 |
Also read: The Complete Cost Of Maintaining A Mazda
Mazda 3 Common Problems
Besides knowing how much the Mazda 3 costs in maintenance per year, it’s also essential to understand potential problems for this specific model. The reason for that is that this allows you to make an informed decision about whether the Mazda 3 is the car for you. Below we’ve highlighted the five most common problems. However, let it be clear that these problems aren’t usually preeminent and that the Mazda 3 does seem to be a reliable car overall.
NOTE: Before buying a used car, I always like to make sure the vehicle isn´t having any problems that you should be aware of. The easiest way to do this is by buying an OBD2 scanner. These scanners can easily be plugged into any car you’re interested in, and they’ll give you a rundown of potential problems.
Airbag Warning Light
In pre-2014 models, the seat belt pre-tensioner may not function properly, which will cause problems during a crash. This means the airbag warning light will illuminate. Replacing this will cost between $150 – $200.
Vibration At Higher Speeds
The pre-2016 Mazda 3 is also known for vibrating at speeds above 55 mph. This is usually caused by motor mounts that do not sufficiently dampen the shocks. Mazda has revised motor mounts to fix this problem. Expect to pay between $300 – $400 for this.
Loose Stabilizer Bar Links
In pre-2016 models, you may hear a rattling noise from the rear suspension caused by loose stabilizer bar links. If this is not causing the problem, you’ll most likely have to change the sway bar bushings. Expect to pay between $150 – $200 for the stabilizer bar links or sway bar bushings.
Open Thermostat
In some Mazda 3’s, the thermostat will be stuck in the open position, which means the check engine light will illuminate. This means the thermostat needs to be replaced and will cost you between $400 – $450.
Squeaking Rear Brakes
The rear brakes of the Mazda 3 can make a squeaking noise because the rear brake pad is touching the brake rotor. Mazda has revised brake pads for this, and replacing them will cost you between $180 – $220.
Also read: Overview Of Transmissions And Their Problems Of Mazda 3
Is The Mazda 3 A Smart Buy?
Finally, we have to answer the question of whether or not the Mazda 3 is a smart buy or not. For this, we have to take everything into account: its potential lifespan, the maintenance cost, and also how much value you currently get for your money.
When we look at the potential life span of the car, then it’s clear that the Mazda 3 does seem to be very reliable. The Mazda 3 is one of the best cars you can pick from if you compare it to its main competitors. Furthermore, it seems to easily break the 200,000 miles mark when taken care of properly, which is a good sign.
Maintenance costs for the Mazda 3 are very affordable for all production years. Also, the Mazda 3 is not riddled with problems, and the ones it does have are only minor ones. That’s another plus in our books.
Finally, it’s essential to know how much value you get for your money. Using data from caredge.com, we see that a 5-year-old Mazda 3 has depreciated 43%. This is a lower depreciation than average (48 – 52%), which means that you pay a bit more for a Mazda 3 compared to other car models that have reached the same age.
However, given that the 3 is a very reliable car with low maintenance costs and very few problems, we believe a Mazda 3 is worth the money and an intelligent buy overall.
Also read: Types Of Gas A Mazda 3 Takes (Explained)
Mazda 3 Maintenance Schedule
For a Mazda 3 to reach higher mileage, it also needs regular maintenance. Before you purchase a Mazda 3, you must clearly understand what kind of maintenance this car needs regularly. We’ve outlined the maintenance schedule of the Mazda 3 in the points below.
- Change the oil every 7,500 miles
- Rotate the tires every 7,500 miles
- Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles
- Tighten the body nuts and bolts every 30,000 miles
- Change the air filter every 37,500 miles
- Flush and replace the coolant every 120,000 miles.
Also read: The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Mazda 3
Sources
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!