Is the 2018 MAZDA CX-3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MAZDA CX-3s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 9,124 tests. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 MAZDA CX-3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

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

The 2018 MAZDA CX-3 has a 92% MOT pass rate based on 9,124 tests in 2026. This ranks 224 out of 649 cars from 2018.

Which year MAZDA CX-3 is most reliable?

The 2019 MAZDA CX-3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%. The least reliable year is 2015 at 85%.

MAZDA CX-3 (2018)

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

The average mileage for a 2018 MAZDA CX-3 is 39,264 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 9,124 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,487

£124/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1798cc Diesel

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1487/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Diesel1798cc8 years old9,124 tests39k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1798cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,487

Per month£124/mo

Per week£29/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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the MAZDA brand average of 81%.

At 8 years old, 92% of MAZDA CX-3s from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 9,124 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 39,264 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars224th of 649(top 35%)

Rank among MAZDA models142th of 483(top 29%)

vs national average+10%(82% avg)

vs 2018 cars average+3%(89% avg)

vs MAZDA average+11%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,264

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 MAZDA CX-3 has 39,264 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 2019 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 85%. The 2018 sits between the two at 92%.

MAZDA CX-3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2020	83%	30	25,685 mi
2019	93%	11,421	31,849 mi
2018	92%	9,124	39,264 mi
2017	90%	7,863	47,343 mi
2016	86%	8,421	56,358 mi
2015	85%	4,191	61,842 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2017 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

-1%

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

-3%

MERCEDES A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,350/year

91%

-1%

MERCEDES A-CLASS

2017 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,500/year

88%

-4%

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About the 2018 MAZDA CX-3

The 2018 MAZDA CX-3 is a family car with a 1798cc diesel engine. 9,124 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 39,264 miles at 8 years old, MAZDA CX-3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 MAZDA CX-3 Fuel Costs

The 1798cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2018 MAZDA CX-3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,487 (£124/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2018 MAZDA CX-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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. With 9,124 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

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

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
MAZDA CX-3(2018)	92%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1487
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2017)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£137
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13
MERCEDES A(2019)	91%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1350-£137
MERCEDES A-CLASS(2017)	88%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500+£13

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.