CarCostCheck

MAZDA 3 (2017)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 13,489 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,927

£161/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £1927/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1998cc9 years old13,489 tests52k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,927
Per month£161/mo
Per week£37/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

83% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 9 years old, 83% of MAZDA 3s from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 13,489 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 51,801 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 cars470th of 579(top 81%)
Rank among MAZDA models214th of 483(top 44%)
vs national average+1%(82% avg)
vs 2017 cars average-4%(87% avg)
vs MAZDA average+2%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

51,801

Average miles

vs

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2017 MAZDA 3 has 51,801 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-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%. The 2017 sits between the two at 83%.

MAZDA 3 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202298%24321,571 mi
202194%6,55623,403 mi
202094%6,78728,046 mi
201992%7,14534,301 mi
201888%11,20542,804 mi
201783%13,48951,801 mi
201682%17,93661,550 mi
201581%19,83970,981 mi
201480%14,28076,594 mi
201380%8,70381,092 mi
201279%8,60891,364 mi
201175%9,73195,384 mi
201074%15,144101,714 mi
200972%14,024101,557 mi
200870%11,826101,647 mi
200769%9,747106,801 mi
200668%7,178107,923 mi
200567%5,007107,158 mi
200465%1,51498,523 mi

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About the 2017 MAZDA 3

The 2017 MAZDA 3 is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 13,489 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 81% of 2017 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 51,801 miles at 9 years old, MAZDA 3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2017 MAZDA 3 Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2017 MAZDA 3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,927 161/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2017 MAZDA 3

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. With 13,489 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2017 MAZDA 3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 9 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2017 MAZDA 3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA 3(2017)83%£1327£195Grp 18-32£1927
FORD FOCUS(2015)85%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£250
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£345
FORD KUGA(2018)90%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£345
BMW 3 SERIES(2015)88%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£250

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.

Related Mazda Models

Explore other Mazda cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Mazda 3.

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