How much does a 2004 MAZDA 3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 MAZDA 3?

The 2004 MAZDA 3 has a 65% MOT pass rate based on 1,514 tests in 2026. This ranks 439 out of 491 cars from 2004.

Which year MAZDA 3 is most reliable?

The 2022 MAZDA 3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 65%.

MAZDA 3 (2004)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2004 MAZDA 3?

The average mileage for a 2004 MAZDA 3 is 98,523 miles, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,514 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,157

£180/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Petrol1598cc22 years old1,514 tests99k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1598cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1598cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,157

Per month£180/mo

Per week£41/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 22 years old, 65% of MAZDA 3s from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,514 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 98,523 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars439th of 491(top 89%)

Rank among MAZDA models436th of 483(top 90%)

vs national average-17%(82% avg)

vs 2004 cars average-7%(72% avg)

vs MAZDA average-16%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

98,523

Average miles

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 MAZDA 3 has 98,523 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2022 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 65%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

MAZDA 3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	98%	243	21,571 mi
2021	94%	6,556	23,403 mi
2020	94%	6,787	28,046 mi
2019	92%	7,145	34,301 mi
2018	88%	11,205	42,804 mi
2017	83%	13,489	51,801 mi
2016	82%	17,936	61,550 mi
2015	81%	19,839	70,981 mi
2014	80%	14,280	76,594 mi
2013	80%	8,703	81,092 mi
2012	79%	8,608	91,364 mi
2011	75%	9,731	95,384 mi
2010	74%	15,144	101,714 mi
2009	72%	14,024	101,557 mi
2008	70%	11,826	101,647 mi
2007	69%	9,747	106,801 mi
2006	68%	7,178	107,923 mi
2005	67%	5,007	107,158 mi
2004	65%	1,514	98,523 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2006 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+8%

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

+6%

BMW 3 SERIES

2006 · 1796cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

+15%

HONDA JAZZ

2006 · 1339cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

+6%

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About the 2004 MAZDA 3

The 2004 MAZDA 3 is a small family car with a 1598cc petrol engine. 1,514 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 89% of 2004 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 98,523 miles at 22 years old, MAZDA 3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2004 MAZDA 3 Fuel Costs

The 1598cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2004 MAZDA 3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

MAZDA 3 Reliability Trend

Newer MAZDA 3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 16 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2004 MAZDA 3

At 22 years old, the MAZDA 3 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 MAZDA 3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 99k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2004 MAZDA 3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA 3(2004)	65%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£2157
FORD FOCUS(2006)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£330
BMW 3 SERIES(2006)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867-£290
HONDA JAZZ(2006)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£435

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.