Is the 2021 MAZDA 3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MAZDA 3s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 6,556 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 MAZDA 3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), including £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 MAZDA 3?

The 2021 MAZDA 3 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 6,556 tests in 2026. This ranks 1074 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

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 (2021)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 MAZDA 3?

The average mileage for a 2021 MAZDA 3 is 23,403 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 6,556 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,042

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2500cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2042/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol2500cc5 years old6,556 tests23k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2500cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,042

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 5 years old, 94% of MAZDA 3s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 6,556 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 23,403 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1074th of 3,373(top 32%)

Rank among MAZDA models106th of 483(top 22%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average+2%(92% avg)

vs MAZDA average+13%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

23,403

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 MAZDA 3 has 23,403 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2021 sits between the two at 94%.

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

VOLVO XC40

2020 · 2000cc Petrol

£1,772/year

93%

-1%

BMW 5 SERIES

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

-2%

BMW X3

2019 · 2998cc Petrol

£2,037/year

92%

-2%

FORD RANGER

2021 · 2400cc Petrol

£2,037/year

90%

-4%

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About the 2021 MAZDA 3

The 2021 MAZDA 3 is a large car with a 2500cc petrol engine. 6,556 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 23,403 miles at 5 years old, MAZDA 3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 MAZDA 3 Fuel Costs

The 2500cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 MAZDA 3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,042 (£170/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2021 MAZDA 3

At 5 years old, the MAZDA 3 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2022 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. With 6,556 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 MAZDA 3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Oil Consumption

Low risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 2021 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(2021)	94%	£1592	£195	Grp 25-38	£2042
VOLVO XC40(2020)	93%	£1327	£190	Grp 18-32	£1772-£270
BMW 5 SERIES(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
BMW X3(2019)	92%	£1592	£190	Grp 30-42	£2037-£5
FORD RANGER(2021)	90%	£1592	£190	Grp 25-38	£2037-£5

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.