The small SUV that drives like a sports car
The Mazda CX-3 is a style-led small crossover that prioritises driving enjoyment and premium feel over outright practicality. It competes with the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 but distinguishes itself as arguably the best-driving car in the segment. It appeals to buyers who want crossover looks and a raised driving position without sacrificing the fun of a well-sorted chassis.
We track 5 known issues across the Mazda CX-3 range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Mazda CX-3? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
DK (2015–2021) — Petrol options included the 2.0 SKYACTIV-G, with 1.5 SKYACTIV-D, 1.8 SKYACTIV-D on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Brake pipe corrosion (£200–£350 to address).
Brake pipes on 1.5 diesel variants show premature corrosion leading to MOT failures at 9.6 times the national fleet average. This affects models from 2015-2018 most commonly in the 20-60k mileage range. The steel brake pipes corrode where they pass through the rear axle area and along the fuel tank, potentially leading to brake fluid loss and brake failure.
Corroded brake pipes can fail suddenly causing complete brake fluid loss and brake failure. This creates an immediate safety risk with potential for serious accident. The entire brake pipe run typically requires replacement rather than local repair when corrosion is identified.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The constant velocity (CV) joints on the driveshafts show excessive wear and play at unusually low mileages on 2.0 petrol variants. The issue appears to affect the outer CV joints most commonly, causing clicking during turning and eventual failure requiring driveshaft replacement.
Continued driving with worn CV joints leads to complete joint failure and loss of drive to one wheel. The driveshaft can separate completely, potentially causing damage to surrounding components. Replacement of the complete driveshaft assembly is typically required rather than joint replacement alone.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
In-tank fuel pump failures cause engine stalling and no-start conditions. US NHTSA data records 8 specific fuel pump complaints leading to sudden loss of power while driving. The electric fuel pump located inside the fuel tank fails without warning, leaving drivers stranded. This issue appears across both petrol and diesel variants with some cases occurring at relatively low mileages.
Complete fuel pump failure results in immediate engine shutdown and inability to restart. This can occur without warning while driving, creating a safety hazard. Replacement requires fuel tank removal and typically costs significantly more than the pump component alone due to labour requirements.
Check for fuel smells around the engine bay and underneath the car. Look for staining or wetness around fuel lines and connections. Injector issues may cause rough running or misfires that are most noticeable at idle.
Rubber dust covers on suspension joints deteriorate prematurely, with MOT failures at 16.9 times the fleet average particularly affecting higher mileage examples. The covers protect ball joints and bushings from water and dirt ingress. When they fail, the underlying joint becomes contaminated and wears rapidly, leading to expensive suspension component replacement.
Failed dust covers allow water and contamination into suspension joints leading to accelerated wear. Left unaddressed, the underlying ball joints or bushings will require replacement at significantly higher cost than dust cover renewal alone.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The Mazda Connect infotainment system experiences spontaneous reboots, screen freezing, and erratic behaviour. US NHTSA data shows 25 electrical system complaints with multiple references to screen and infotainment problems. The system may cycle through functions without input, lose Bluetooth connectivity, or display garbled information affecting radio, navigation, and vehicle settings access.
System failures can affect access to climate controls, navigation, and safety features like the reversing camera. While not affecting basic vehicle operation, repairs typically require software updates or complete unit replacement at specialist level.
Check all interior functions: infotainment, heater controls, electric seats, dashboard displays and warning lights. Look for worn or damaged trim pieces. On cars with known interior electrical issues, a diagnostic scan is recommended.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Mazda CX-3 common problems page.
Based on 119k real DVSA MOT tests, the Mazda CX-3 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is seat mounting fault at 59x the fleet average, followed by reflector not securely attached (25x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Mazda CX-3 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Mazda CX-3 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Mazda CX-3 has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2017 and 2019-2020 facelift models are the ones to target. The 2017 saw complaints drop dramatically, while the 2019 update brought improved interior tech, a revised suspension for better ride comfort, and the excellent 2.0 SkyActiv-G petrol engine with cylinder deactivation for better economy.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Mazda CX-3, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Mazda CX-3 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.