Used Mazda3: What to Check Before You Buy (2014-2018)

Used Mazda 3 (2014-2018) Test Drive Tips for the Used Car Shopper

In this video, we look at some tips and checks to make before you buy a used Mazda 3 (2014-2018). Some possible problems and issues are reported, as well as ways to protect yourself-- and your wallet!

RELATED: Full Used Car Review (2014-2018 Mazda3)

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[alexkelchner]

I have a 2016 hatchback sport with 236k miles. No issues, just normal maintenance

[JZ-tgcm]

Regarding the clicking sound: I found that it's the sun-glass holder in the front roof dome light area. When there are glasses in it they can rattle since it's hard surface on the inside. The sound is omnipresent and very hard to pinpoint, drove me nuts for awhile. If you hear this sound, check that first, remove the glasses and it'll vanish. I put a small block of spongy weather strip tape up there on the inside roof side of the case, to slightly compress the glasses when it's closed and the sound is totally gone.

[ka-rrr]

For anyone concerned with a rattling sound that seems to come from the dashboard/A pillar area, actually check the plate right under the passenger seat. Add some foam under then tighten the screw more. I was really surprised after months finding that terrible rattle didn't come from dashboard even though it seems it did

[gerrycollins]

I have had my Mazda 3 hatchback (diesel 2.2 SportNav) for 6 years and 72, 000 miles. It's a great car, very well built, with a few issues like road noise, a problem touch screen depending on manufacturing date, and (in the case of the diesel) a decoke needed after about 60, 000. Any car of this age and mileage will have some problems, but I still enjoy driving mine enough not to want to replace it. I recently tried a BMW 4 series (2 litre) and despite all the "driver's car" hype, I found it less fun than the Mazda.

[antoniofigueroa]

Have a 2016 hatchback and I hear no clicking or weird sounds. Thanks for the maintenance tips, will now check that I'm no missing any maintenance and will ask my mechanic to check for any signs of rust.

[alloverdaplace]

Considering getting a mazda 3 touring 2018 with 31k miles on it. I will def check all the this mentioned in this video thank you

[bradgardam]

Service book records are useless, they don't prove that the services were done, only that the service book was filled out. I suspected that my vehicle wasn't being serviced properly and secretly marked everything that was supposed to be replaced before I took it to the dealer for a scheduled full service and after I picked up my vehicle I checked for the marks I made only to discover that the only thing done was oil filter and oil change. But the service records in the book were filled out as every thing done to the book. I fronted the dealer with the evidence and they promised to do the whole service again for me. I declined their offer to redo what was supposed to be done and told them that I will take my vehicle elsewhere in future. So don't rely on the service book.

[tyramail]

I have a 2014. The most annoying feature of this car are all the components are noisy. The panels rattle and click, as stated in this video and from suspension components can wear out prematurely. I feel like whatever plastics they used in the interior material have maybe hardening over time and making the poorly fitted panels have more room to make noise.

[danabella]

I test drove this car. Hope to own one some day.

[perry]

I have a 2016 hatchback and it has been flawless other than excessive rear brake wear due to bad calipers. Even with the fix Mazda has designed their cars to need back brakes twice as often as the front brakes. I am on rear brake pad set #2 75k miles. I run the crap out of the car and no major issues. The base interior is a bit of the light weight side. Base model is probably the way to go. The more gadgets the more problems. I have a stick shift and love it. I does not need 6 gears though. That extra gear slows down, down shifts because you have too many gear choices. 6-3 is your best bet for passing but it might take two shifts to get there. 3rd gear is good for 100MPH so you probably won't need to shift till then when passing. The wife has a CX-5 of the same year and it has the automatic and it has been great even pulling a 4x8 cargo trailer. Mazda is right up there with Toyota and Honda and maybe better. No CVT rubber band transmission. These are problems not matter what the sales jerk tells you. I WON'T have a CVT and I am an engineer. They are not designed for 20yrs and 200k miles. The windshield being paper thin on the 3 is my biggest complaint. I am on windshield #2. It takes nothing to crack on. #2 is cracked and I am not replacing it till I can't see through it. It is a waste of money to keep replacing them.

[sharonschimdtke]

The noise he's talking about it literally called the "snap, crackle, pop" under its TSB name. And what that noise is is the metal under your hood under on the upper right side(if sitting in the vehicle)in the corner were your hood is attached to the vehicle. You'll see where that part of the fender was molded with 2 sheets of metal are "crimped/pinched" together. There is a small gap between the sheet metal and when it expands or contracts from hot or cold it makes a snap, crackle, pop sound intermittently. The fix is remove the hood take a metal punch protect that area with cloth to avoid paint damage and tap divits where you see the gap, pinching the two pieces of metal together.

[swanblake]

This prior gen is a better car than the new Mazda3. IRS, lighter weight, cheaper manual options, same engine and transmissions for less, and a better looking hatchback

[alexm]

I agree with the rust. also some aluminium parts like mirror mounts and rear struts mounts oxidise and fail. if you give them a layer of paint you can slow down the oxidation.

[tg]

Japan built Mazda3’s are flawless. The ones with issues are built in Mexico. That’s a fact. Look in the drivers side door jam and it will say where it was made. I have a 2014 made in Japan- still on original brake pads all around and zero issues at 98K miles. It’s flawless. Still gets 44mpg on highway.

[lucaslusio]

i own a mazda 3, 2015, 2.0 120hp upgrade to 170hp. 93.000 km and 0 problems. ZERO. so i prefer it against german cars that are very much overrated. i just love the car. i love the red color.

[GISHNUCHALADY]

After searching used cars for last few weeks, i realised this car has more demand than any other car in this catagory becoz of its modern look feutures and engine options

[shaun]

Surprised the video didn't mention anything about Mexico vs Japan builds. My 2015 is at 60k miles. No problems with it yet, except that the driver's seat is just a bit loose.

[slycooper]

Another common problem is the hydraulic belt tensioner. I had to replace mine twice the first two years of ownership. First one was leaking second one was rattling.

[olo]

I'm surprised the touchscreen isn't mentioned here. Had multiple recurring issues when I had my '15 GT. Even had received a notice from Mazda saying they were aware of the issue and warranty on the infotainment was extended for all mazda3s

[ramonv-h]

The non copy write music you have in your video is so frustrating and makes it extremely hard to even finish listening to your video.