Mazda CX-3 (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 30 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,236

£186/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2,236/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1998cc6 years old30 tests26k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,236

Per month£186/mo

Per week£43/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

83% of MOT tests on Mazda CX-3s from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 30 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 25,685 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models2441st of 2,554(bottom 5%)

Rank among Mazda models219th of 459(top half)

vs average of all models+1%(82% avg)

vs 2020 models average-9%(92% avg)

vs Mazda average+2%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

25,685

Average miles

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 Mazda CX-3 had 25,685 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2015 model has the lowest at 85%. The 2020 scores 83%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+9%

Ford Kuga

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

90%

+7%

MINI Cooper

2018 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+9%

Nissan Qashqai

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,853/year

93%

+10%

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About the 2020 Mazda CX-3

The 2020 Mazda CX-3 is a family car. Our records list a 1998cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 30 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 5% of 2020 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 25,685 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Mazda CX-3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 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 £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2020 Mazda CX-3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,236 (£186/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 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 CX-3 Reliability Trend

Newer Mazda CX-3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2020 Mazda CX-3

At 6 years old, the Mazda CX-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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 93%. Note: with only 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 6 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.

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 2020 Mazda CX-3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Mazda CX-3(2020)	83%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,236
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
Ford Kuga(2018)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
MINI Cooper(2018)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383
Nissan Qashqai(2020)	93%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£383

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2020 Mazda CX-3

Is the 2020 Mazda CX-3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MOT tests on 2020 Mazda CX-3s ended in a pass, from 30 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 Mazda CX-3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,236 a year (£186 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Mazda CX-3?

83% of 30 MOT tests on the 2020 Mazda CX-3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 2441st of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (bottom 5%).

Which year Mazda CX-3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Mazda CX-3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2015 the lowest at 85%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2020 Mazda CX-3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Mazda CX-3 is 25,685 miles, which is in line with the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.