CarCostCheck

MAZDA CX-3 (2016)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 8,421 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1998cc10 years old8,421 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/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

86% 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%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 10 years old, 86% of MAZDA CX-3s from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 8,421 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 56,358 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars363th of 586(top 62%)
Rank among MAZDA models199th of 483(top 41%)
vs national average+4%(82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average+1%(85% avg)
vs MAZDA average+5%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

56,358

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 MAZDA CX-3 has 56,358 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-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 2019 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 85%. The 2016 sits between the two at 86%.

MAZDA CX-3 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202083%3025,685 mi
201993%11,42131,849 mi
201892%9,12439,264 mi
201790%7,86347,343 mi
201686%8,42156,358 mi
201585%4,19161,842 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2016 MAZDA CX-3

The 2016 MAZDA CX-3 is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 8,421 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 56,358 miles at 10 years old, MAZDA CX-3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 MAZDA CX-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 2016 MAZDA CX-3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

MAZDA CX-3 Reliability Trend

Newer MAZDA CX-3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 MAZDA CX-3

At 10 years old, the MAZDA CX-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. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 8,421 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 MAZDA CX-3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 10 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.

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.

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 2016 MAZDA CX-3 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
MAZDA CX-3(2016)86%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
FORD FOCUS(2014)80%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£370
NISSAN QASHQAI(2014)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
FORD KUGA(2018)90%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£465
BMW 3 SERIES(2015)88%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£370

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 Cx-3.

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