USED Mazda 3 - The common problems & should you buy one?

The small-car class is saturated with great little cars. Atop the pile in terms of sales is the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf. And for great reason, both a fantastic small cars.

But what about some of the other options? Take the Mazda 3 for example, it's not perfect, but there are some key areas where we think it trumps the kingpins of the class.

00:00​​​ - Intro
00:50​​ - What is it?
01:47 - Does it look good?
02:39​​​ - How's the interior?
03:22​​​ - How's the tech?
04:47​​​ - Is it practical?
05:34​​​ - What goes wrong?
06:22​​​ - Is it safe?
06:52​​​ - What's it like to drive?
08:51​​​ - How much does it cost?
09:11​​ - Running costs?
09:42​​​ - Should you buy it?

#Mazda
#Mazda3
#smallcar

Additional videos and images are used for illustrative purposes, under the provision of 'Fair Use'.

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At ReDriven, we’ll be taking you through the pros and cons of a huge range of used cars to see how well they’re going now that they’re a few years old, have thousands of kilometres on the clock, and are coming toward the end of their warranty, or maybe don’t have one at all.

Plus, thanks to our resident mechanic, Jim, you’ll find out what commonly goes wrong with them and what might need to be fixed.

Most importantly, we want to make ReDriven a voice for the most in-the-know used car experts there are...you guys.. See, you’re the ones that actually buy, live with, love and sometimes unfortunately hate the cars we’ll be reviewing.

So we want to hear your thoughts. Hit us up in the comments, or on Instagram and Facebook.

We’d love nothing more than for you to give us as much feedback as possible, so we can make this channel the best it can be.

Find us on:

[raymondscott]

I think you're channel is what people needed because we always have questions about used cars everybody else channels is just new cars

[keithwalker]

wife bought a 2014 Mazda 3 after extensive research on safety stuff and we LOVE this care. 90K miles and going strong without any issues of note.

[ruthkharen]

I've driven a Lexus, a Mini sport, a VW, a Peugeot, a BMW, a Skoda, been on a Mustang, amongst others... but Mazda feels the best on the wheel. The best brakes as well.

[jupiterfive]

Have had a 3 for nearly four years now and I can honestly say it’s the best car I’ve ever owned. A shame you drove the automatic because you missed out on the great manual gearbox option. It has the slickest of changes - feels like a rifle bolt. Well worth going for the manual rather than the auto. Better mpg too!

[michaelbrassett]

I own a 2017 SP25, and after 250000ks it still drives like a new car. Fun and engaging i would struggle to choose anything else. Just after the warranty ended a check engine light came on. Mazda said it was a high-pressure pump for the cylinder valves, and said it was very unusual! Guess what? Mazda paid to tow the car and repair it, even though it was out of warranty, this would have cost !000s to fix. Big shout out to them for great customer care.

[jergarmar]

In my opinion, the standout quality of the Mazda3 is the steering and handling. I can still remember the first time I needed to dodge some minor debris on the highway, because the car made quicker and sharper movements than I was expecting... but even so, the car did not lean or feel unstable at all. I needed to get an automatic for the commuting and for my wife, maybe not ideal, but it's like the everything car: practical and fun and versatile.

[kalark]

i watched this video last year and went out and bought a 2015 3 GT S fully loaded for a great price and I love this car! Have owned it for about 6 months and have had 0 issues :) I even bought the module to add wireless carplay and installed it myself! Thanks for the video!

[AndileNjapha-eo]

This is the best car I have ever owned unfortunately I had to sell it in 2019 because of a financial crisis but this year I'm buying it again, yoooh what a car, Mazda 3 is the best❤

[ZoraPMC]

154, 000 miles on my 2015 Mazda 3 and... No issues and still runs like new. Transmission still smooth and responsive. Suspension still holding up and smooth ride. Literally the only failure I had was a dead alternator which I replaced around 120, 000 miles.

[sleeplessaquarius]

I have a 2013 Mazda 3 hatchback, 6 speed. 3 miles when I bought it brand new in 2013, now its Summer 2022 & Im already about to roll 200K miles! It has been one awesome car! Not ONE bit of trouble ever & its so fun to drive! :) & I just put a rack on top for my kayaks :)

[hobojesus]

I have a 2016 3 I sport that's been through over half the states, every weather condition I could find, and has been rebuilt a couple times because of wildlife interactions. It's such a nice car that there are now 5 others in my family/friends groups.

[mikeh]

I have the 2014 Mazda 3 hatchback with the highest trim level and all of the options (US version). I am very happy with the car. With the 2.5 L engine, hitting the "Sport" button and manually shifting the automatic takes it to another level. The steering feel is amazing as well. It looks cool and can go fast when you need fast. What is a mind blower is that they packed all of this BMW level luxury into a 3002 pound car. It's a four door car that weighs in like a two door stripped down sports car from the '90s. Not much heavier than the 1993 RX7 but loads more stuff inside.

[Thechosen]

2024, and I still don't understand how Americans rather get a kia, Hyundai, rather than a Mazda, the quality and reliability is amazing

[Zesty]

I've fallen in love with Izumi, my Soul Red '14 Mazda 3. Just a perfect large hatchback. All the boot space for a few cricket bags, all the cabin room for the cricketers as well. Ride and handling: simply sublime and there's enough guts to be enthusiastic with the right foot whichever engine you pick.

Road noise is probably the worst aspect of the car, but it's not absolutely appalling. The paintwork is thin and scratches easily, so be as careful as possible to minimise stone chips.

Honestly though, it's worth the price of admission alone when you see the beautiful design, in its perfect soul red paint in good sunlight after a nice clean.

Like all cars, look after it, don't rag all the time, regular services, and check tyre pressures and fluids every now and again and top up/replace if needs be. Do that, and it'll run for a lot longer than you expect

[johndoyle]

I've owned a 2017 Mazda3 Sport GT automatic for 7 years. I purchased the "Premium Package" which included an amazing number of comfort and tech features for the cost. I love the vehicle! It's not a "hot hatch" by any means, but it's a great balance of quality, economy, practicality, driving dynamics, performance, and luxury. While I have moments when I think it would be nice to get a shiny new vehicle, I quickly realize that I can't justify the expense because the Mazda remains a very reliable vehicle that is fun to drive.

[laj]

My wife and I bought a 2015 Mazda 3 (manual) two years ago and we absolutely LOVE it! Such a good looking car and so enjoyable to drive. Best car I've ever owned.

[Outwardpd]

Picked up a '15 mazda 3 and been looking around for reviews trying to find out what everyone thinks of them, way more positives on it than any other car I've seen so far. Definitely super excited for it arrive now.

[KidRiko]

My 2017 Touring has 200, 800 miles, with routine maint, "still rides like a dream" in Scotty's voice

[Ismailz]

First met with Mazda family in 2022 it was 2012 Mazda2, loved it, then owned 2015 Mazda 3, now will buy 2017 Mazda3. ZERO issues joyful car, handsome. You really enjoy driving.

Last week, I was thinking about budget electric cars tried 2020 Kona, it was like driving a tractor, changed my mind because good electric cars still expensive, going back to my budget friendly Mazdas.

[kenb]

I had a 2017 mazda 3 as my first car and absolutely adored it. Got a 2018 mazda 3 in manual a while ago and Ive loved it since. Beautiful body, profile, comfort and sound