How much does a 2018 MAZDA 3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,927 (£161/month), including £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 MAZDA 3?

The 2018 MAZDA 3 has a 88% MOT pass rate based on 11,205 tests in 2026. This ranks 438 out of 649 cars from 2018.

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 (2018)

Q: Is the 2018 MAZDA 3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of MAZDA 3s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 11,205 tests. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2018 MAZDA 3?

The average mileage for a 2018 MAZDA 3 is 42,804 miles, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-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 11,205 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,927

£161/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £1927/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc8 years old11,205 tests43k 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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 8 years old, 88% of MAZDA 3s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 11,205 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 42,804 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars438th of 649(top 67%)

Rank among MAZDA models186th of 483(top 39%)

vs national average+6%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average-1%(89% avg)

vs MAZDA average+7%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

42,804

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 MAZDA 3 has 42,804 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-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 2018 sits between the two at 88%.

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

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

87%

-1%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

+4%

FORD KUGA

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,582/year

90%

+2%

MINI COOPER

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

+4%

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About the 2018 MAZDA 3

The 2018 MAZDA 3 is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 11,205 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 42,804 miles at 8 years old, MAZDA 3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 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 2018 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 88% 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 2018 MAZDA 3

At 8 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 11,205 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2018 MAZDA 3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 8 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 2018 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(2018)	88%	£1327	£195	Grp 18-32	£1927
FORD FOCUS(2016)	87%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£250
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£345
FORD KUGA(2018)	90%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£345
MINI COOPER(2018)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£345

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.