How Long Do Mazda3 Last?

Having been present in the market for more than 19 years, the Mazda3 has established itself as an amazing compact car that is more than capable of surviving today’s conditions; however, the recent discontinuation in Japan has shaken the people’s faith in the car.

Many people and potential owners are now asking “How long do Mazda3 last?”.

This is a particularly good question considering that you will get mixed answers.

Generally, most of them will lie between the 150,000 to a 300,000-mile range, which is too big to consider; however, most people believe it will consistently last over 200,000 miles.

To make sure that this is the case for the Mazda3, I will be exploring the car in great detail to see just how long the car can last, compare it with other prominent vehicles to see how it compares against them.

Moreover, I’ll take a look at the components of the vehicle to see how long they can last as well.

Lastly, I’ll also be answering common questions regarding the Mazda3, so make sure you read the guide to the end.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Mazda3?

With a huge range to determine its total mileage, the lowest possible lifespan you can get from the Mazda3 is about 10 years which corresponds to 150,000 miles.

This will occur if you take little to no care of the car, which, as a responsible owner, you should not do.

With proper care, you will see the car easily surpass 200,000 miles, which puts it in line with other compact cars, and with great care, you will see the car go up to 300,000 miles, which translates to 20+ years of service, which is very important good for the vehicle.

A lot of this depends on how well you drive the car, how greatly you take care of it, and various factors, which I will discuss in this guide.

Does Mazda3 Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

There is no shortage of compact cars available in today’s market, which makes it a really tough decision for people to consider the Mazda3 over any other vehicle available in today’s market, especially since a lot of other cars will outshine the Mazda3 when it comes to reliability and other categories.

Currently, the Mazda3 stands among the top compact cars for reliability, easily making its way to the top 10. However, it is still not at the apex of many of these lists.

For that reason, I will be comparing the Mazda3 to 3 other cars that you can find in these lists and see how well it can stack up against them when it comes to reliability and its total lifespan.

I will be directly comparing factors that affect the vehicle’s lifespan so that I can provide you with a reliable result.

1. Mazda3 Vs. Toyota Corolla

The first vehicle that I will compare against the Mazda3 will be the Toyota Corolla, probably one of the most popular compact cars available worldwide.

• The Mazda3 no doubt gets a run for its money against the Toyota Corolla, which ranks at the top of many lists regarding reliability, beating the Mazda3 considerably.
• While both these compact cars can reach up to 300,000 miles, the Mazda3 has a lot more chance of falling short than the Toyota Corolla, which can reach 300,000 miles consistently.
• Factoring in the popularity of both vehicles, the Mazda3 and the Toyota Corolla both have the same amount of problems and complaints overall across their models, each car having just one specific model, which gave the lineup a lot of trouble.
• The Mazda3 is $100 cheaper to fix than the average compact car, but this is taken one step further by the Toyota Corolla, which is $100 cheaper than the Mazda3.

In this first comparison, it is quite evident that the Mazda3 cannot compare against the Toyota Corolla, which is better in almost every way and is significantly more popular.

Related: How Many Miles Will A Toyota Corolla Last?

2. Mazda3 Vs. Honda Civic

The second car that will go against the Mazda3 will be the Honda Civic, another extremely popular Japanese car that has gained a lot of success.

• Ranking just below the Toyota Corolla in various lists, it is safe to say that the Mazda3 cannot beat the Honda Civic in terms of reliability.
• Following the trend set by the Toyota Corolla, the Mazda3 lacks consistency which is why the Honda Civic can more easily reach the same mileage as the Mazda3 and sometimes even go beyond it.
• Even after considering the massive popularity of the Honda Civic, I believe that the Mazda3 has a lot fewer problems and issues when compared to the Honda Civic, which generally has a higher amount of complaints in certain models.
• Once again, following the Toyota Corolla, the Mazda is a lot more expensive to repair and maintain when compared to the Honda Civic, which is $100 cheaper than it.

Overall, the results are the same as the first comparison and are widely against the Mazda3, which is defeated by the Honda Civic in all categories apart from several problems, which is not a big deal considering the Honda Civic is extremely cheap to fix and repair.

Related: Honda Civic Life Expectancy

3. Mazda3 Vs. Chevrolet Cobalt

The final car that I will compare to the Mazda3 is the Chevrolet Cobalt, a compact car introduced in 2005 but only saw 5 different models in North America before being discontinued.

• The Mazda3 is widely regarded for its reliability but is still left in the dust compared to the Chevrolet Cobalt, which can easily reach the top 5 of any list when it comes to reliability.
• However, when it comes to longevity, the Mazda3 has a distinct advantage over the Chevrolet Cobalt, which can last 50,000 miles less but reach there more consistently.
• Considering the number of models the Mazda3 has, it does a great job having significantly fewer issues than the Chevrolet Cobalt, which has a lot of problems in 3 of its 5 models.
• Fixing these problems is also much cheaper in the Mazda3 as the Chevrolet Cobalt is around $30 more expensive to repair than the Mazda3.

In this comparison, the Mazda3 stands out as the victor, being longer-lasting and cheaper to repair.

How the Chevrolet Cobalt is more reliable than the Mazda3 may be due to the components of the Mazda, which I will talk about now.

Life Expectancy Of Mazda3 Car Parts

Cars involve a lot of working parts and components, which, when put together, allow the vehicle to function as you know it and drive properly.

Keeping these components intact and in proper working order is essential to ensure that the car stays in proper health and does not require constant repairs and trips to the mechanic.

There are a lot of components to worry about when owning a car which is why here, I will talk about the essential Mazda3 car components and tell you how long you can expect them to last and how you can take better care of them make them last even further.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda3 Brake Pads

Taking a look at the brake pads of the Mazda3, this particular component can last much longer than other vehicles available on the market.

For the most part, the Mazda3’s brake pads will last an average of 50,000 miles, and this number can go higher.

To try and take it to the limit and get the most out of your brake pads, you should try and use the engine brake more often and avoid speeding, driving at moderate speeds, and making sure that you do not ride with the brakes.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda3 Battery

As is average for most vehicles in today’s time, the battery of the Mazda3 will last you a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years.

On average, you can expect 4 years or 60,000 miles of service from the battery before replacing it.

If you want to get the full 5 years of service from the battery, you must make sure that it remains perfect.

This will require you to perfectly secure the battery so that it does not vibrate or take damage while inside and clean it regularly.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda3 Tires

Just like the brake pads, you can expect the tires of the Mazda3 to last you around 50,000 miles on average.

However, this can change drastically depending on the roads you travel and traffic conditions you face regularly.

To boost the lifespan of the tires, you should make sure they are not worn out unevenly, which is a problem for the Mazda3, by having the air inside the tires adjusted accordingly.

You should also follow the same rules for the brake pads and drive slowly, avoiding speeding entirely.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda3 Transmission

While you would expect the Mazda3 to last the full 300,000 miles as the car itself can, unfortunately, the transmission will only last a maximum of 200,000 miles which will no doubt result in you getting a costly replacement.

To make the transmission last as long as possible, you should ensure that the transmission fluid is regularly maintained and start driving only when the transmission is warm.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda3 Spark Plugs

The spark plugs of the Mazda3 are incredibly low lasting and will last need to be replaced at most after 45,000 miles or 3 years.

Considering other spark plugs can last as long as 100,000 miles, this is quite low.

To make sure you get the most out of your Mazda3 spark plugs, you should maintain a good spark gap between them and make sure they are properly serviced and cleaned regularly.

Average Lifespan Of Mazda3 Key Fob

Key fobs are quite simple devices and very straightforward. You can expect the Mazda3’s key fob to last as long as 4 years, but this will depend on the amount of usage of the battery.

To ensure that the battery lasts as long as possible, you should try to limit the use of the key fob as much as possible and opt to open the trunk and doors with the key itself.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Mazda3?

Assuming that the Mazda3 can consistently last till 300,000 miles, the most optimal range you should consider when buying a used Mazda 3 would be 50,000 to 100,000 miles.

This is because this only takes up one-third of the lifespan of the Mazda3, which gives you at least more than 12 years of service with the vehicle.

Many issues that can affect the Mazda3 can also be detected before they become a huge nuisance.

If they have already begun to manifest, they can be swiftly eliminated before they grow out of control.

If you get a Mazda3 that is a really good condition, you could potentially push it up to 125,000 miles, but any more would not be recommended.

You should try your best to get a Mazda3, which has low mileage.

How To Increase How Long Your Mazda3 Last

As you will read below, the Mazda3 has had many issues with certain models, which you will no doubt have to deal with at some point while owning the vehicle.

These problems will deteriorate the car’s lifespan as they will affect other systems inside the car.

If you follow the tips mentioned above throughout the article, you will see less of these problems arise and have a much healthier car.

However, it is always good to be safe, which is why there are a few other habits and tips you should follow to make sure the car lasts as long as possible.

• Regular cleaning of the vehicle.
• Switch to neutral when idle.
• Do not drive for extended periods.
• Regular visits to the mechanic.
• Frequent servicing, maintenance, and inspections.

If you incorporate these habits into your driving, you will no doubt see a much bigger improvement in the car’s life and see a lot fewer issues spring up in the Mazda3.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Mazda3

Over the years, there have been various issues and complaints against the Mazda3, specifically against the 2010 and 2014 models, universally regarded as the worst models for the Mazda3.

These models had a variety of different problems which were costly and difficult to resolve and sometimes directly affected the model which would come after them.

Here are a few of these problems which can significantly limit the life of your Mazda3 should they be allowed to persist.

• Clutch failure.
• Rusting.
• Dashboard melting.
• Defective tire valves.
• TPMS valve stem failure.
• Uneven tire wear.
• ABS failure.
• Engine stalling
• Premature brake wear.

These issues can easily reduce the life of your Mazda3 and cause additional problems to arise.

This will significantly increase the cost of repairing your Mazda3 and cause a lot of discomforts which is why you should be on top of these problems as soon as they arise and follow the tips above to make sure they do not happen.

Related: Mazda3 Starting Problems

What To Look For When Buying A Mazda3

Buying a car is no small endeavor and is a significant moment in the life of many people. For this reason, you should always make sure you get the best of the best in the budget you have.

This may include certain trims, models, and features found in the car which you normally would not have known about.

Here, I will talk about a few special features, additions, and things that you should look for in the Mazda3:

• Turbocharged 2.5L 4-cylinder engine.
• All wheel drive.
• 2019+ redesign.
• Updated cabin design.
• Forward warning collision.
• SkyActiv drivetrain.

Unless you are getting it used, you should try your best to get the latest Mazda3 available.

This means getting models that look the part, so you should have the latest design of the Mazda3, which is available in models 2019 and up.

These models will also include various safety features, updated cabin design, more powerful engine choices, and more efficient drivetrains, giving you the best the company can offer.

Related: Best And Worst Years For Mazda3

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Mazda3 A Reliable Car?

For the most part, the Mazda3 is a very reliable car that will provide you with a lot of mileage and quality driving as long as you take care of the vehicle.

While a few models, as discussed above, are not that reliable and prone to issues, most of the models in this lineup are very reliable.

Many owners have praised the Mazda3 for its reliability and have claimed to have driven the car for well over 20 years with little to no issues, which says a lot about the reliability of the car.

Q2. Does Mazda3 Have A Lot Of Problems?

Taking a close look at the history of the Mazda3, you will see that most of the models in the lineup do considerably well and do not have a lot of issues.

While rust and corrosion were an issue with older models, the main problems were mostly located in 2 to 3 models, which were among the worst of the lineup.

These problems included various internal issues, clutch failure, braking wear, and many electrical malfunctions, which significantly impacted the reputation of the Mazda3 and made people question its reliability.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Mazda3?

While the Mazda3 is a good vehicle, you should consider it when looking for a used vehicle.

Aside from certain models, the Mazda3 has a lot of solid choices for you to pick up. Certain models might be prone to rust, while models such as 2010 and 2014 had a lot to deal with.

If you avoid the problematic models and get yourself a used Mazda3 that has low mileage and is in good condition, you will undoubtedly have a great car that will provide you with quality service for a long time.

Q4. Does Mazda3 Rust Easily?

For a long time, the Mazda3 has been criticized for its low rust resistance and tendency to develop rust quickly.

While previous models of the Mazda3 were prone to rust, the recent models are being given much greater emphasis on avoiding excess rust and corrosion.

Apart from this, the older models had bad cases of rusting, something a lot of owners were very local in conveying, as many owners of the Mazda3 have reported rusty frames, rust bubbles on roofs, and much more.

This was only blown out of proportions due to improper corrosion inhibitors, which further led to a lot of rust.

Q5. Is Mazda3 Expensive To Maintain?

When talking about compact cars, you generally do not expect them to cost as much as an SUV.

Taking this into account, the Mazda3 is quite cheap compared to the average vehicle, which can cost more than $600 to repair annually.

The Mazda3 only takes $430 to repair per year, which is much cheaper.

There are, however, many cheaper alternatives in the compact car class, which is why when compared to other compact cars, the Mazda3 is not as cheap as you would expect.

Compared to other compact cars, the Mazda3 has an average repair cost.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the Mazda3 is a very reliable vehicle, although the long range of total mileage it can fall in.

Most of the time, you should be able to get the absolute most out of your Mazda3, making the question “How long do Mazda3 last?” irrelevant.

Getting an average of 200,000 miles and easily crossing to 300,000 miles is quite competitive in today’s market of compact cars, which is why the Mazda has a prominent position in the market and a huge following along with a long list of satisfied owners of the vehicle.