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Mazda
Mazda3
BM / BN·
2013-2019
hatch
Top pick
Price (AUD)
$9k-$25k
Body styles
5-door hatch, 4-door sedan
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Origin
Japan
Built in
Japan
Overview
The third-generation Mazda3 (BM pre-facelift from the mid-2013 launch, BN from the August 2016 facelift) was sold in Australia as Neo, Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT and SP25 Astina, plus the diesel XD and XD Astina. Engines were all naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G petrols apart from the turbo-diesel: a 2.0L (114kW/200Nm) in the entry cars and a 2.5L (138kW/250Nm) in the SP25 range, both available in 6-speed manual or the well-regarded SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed automatic. The 2.2L SkyActiv-D diesel was a low-volume sporty halo (around 1 per cent of sales) and was quietly axed from the Australian range in mid-2017. As a used buy the petrols are among the most reliable small cars on the market - the defining caveats are direct-injection carbon build-up on the intake valves (subject to a 2019 Australian intake-shutter-valve carbon recall), early clutch shudder on manuals, an ageing MZD Connect infotainment unit, and the Takata passenger airbag recall (REC-005733). The diesel adds DPF and oil-dilution risk and is best avoided unless it has been driven on highways and has a full service history.
Engines & variants
2.0L SkyActiv-G petrol
Engine
2.0L SkyActiv-G DOHC 16v direct-injection I4 (13.0:1 compression)
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
1998cc
Power
114kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
200Nm @ 4000rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Economy
5.7-6.5 L/100km combined (claimed), 7-8 real world
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Genuinely economical and refined high-compression petrol
- SkyActiv-Drive 6-speed auto is one of the better conventional autos
- Cheap to run, cheap to insure, strong parts support
- Excellent long-term reliability with basic servicing
Cons
- Direct injection means intake-valve carbon build-up over time
- Modest torque - needs revs when loaded or up hills
- Manual cars can suffer early clutch shudder
- Road noise and a firm ride are weak points
Known problems
medium
Intake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection)
Like all direct-injection SkyActiv-G engines, fuel is sprayed straight into the cylinder so it never washes the back of the intake valves. PCV blow-by leaves oily deposits that bake into carbon, eventually causing rough idle, misfires (P0300-series codes) and lost economy. A 2019 Australian recall addressed carbon accumulation in the intake shutter valve that could affect engine performance.
Fix: Walnut-blast or chemical clean of intake valves at higher km; replace/check the PCV valve; confirm the 2019 intake-shutter-valve recall work is done.
medium
Clutch shudder (manual)
Manual SkyActiv cars are prone to clutch shudder/judder on take-off, related to clutch friction material and disc behaviour - often felt early in the car's life.
Fix: Updated clutch components under warranty where eligible; otherwise clutch assembly replacement by a specialist.
low
MZD Connect infotainment glitches / slow boot
The MZD Connect head unit can become sluggish, freeze, lose the reversing camera or behave erratically as it ages; a failed display is expensive out of warranty.
Fix: Software/firmware update at a dealer first; commander-knob or display unit replacement if hardware has failed.
2.5L SkyActiv-G petrol (SP25)
Engine
2.5L SkyActiv-G DOHC 16v direct-injection I4 (13.0:1 compression)
Config
I4 NA
Displacement
2488cc
Power
138kW @ 5700rpm
Torque
250Nm @ 3250rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Economy
6.0-6.8 L/100km combined (claimed), 8-9 real world
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Noticeably stronger and more flexible than the 2.0
- Still very economical for the performance on offer
- Same proven SkyActiv-Drive auto and chain-driven engine
- SP25 grades add the nicer trim and equipment
Cons
- Shares the direct-injection intake-carbon tendency
- Premium for the badge over a 2.0 Maxx/Touring
- Manual clutch shudder affects this engine too
- Firm ride and road noise carry over
Known problems
medium
Intake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection)
The 2.5 SkyActiv-G shares the direct-injection design, so the intake valves accumulate carbon from PCV blow-by over time, leading to rough idle, misfires and reduced economy. Covered by the same 2019 Australian intake-shutter-valve carbon recall.
Fix: Walnut-blast/chemical intake clean at higher km; check PCV valve; confirm the recall has been completed.
medium
Clutch shudder (manual)
Manual SP25 cars share the SkyActiv clutch-shudder tendency on take-off.
Fix: Updated clutch components under warranty if eligible; otherwise clutch replacement.
low
MZD Connect infotainment glitches
Same MZD Connect head unit as the rest of the range - can slow down, freeze or drop the reversing camera with age.
Fix: Dealer software update; replace the display/commander unit if hardware fails.
2.2L SkyActiv-D turbo diesel (XD)
Engine
2.2L SkyActiv-D twin-turbo common-rail diesel I4 (DPF, low 14.0:1 compression)
Config
I4 turbo diesel
Displacement
2191cc
Power
129kW @ 4500rpm
Torque
420Nm @ 2000rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Economy
4.8-5.5 L/100km combined (claimed), 6-7 real world
Transmission
6MT, 6AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strong 420Nm torque - the quickest and most effortless Mazda3
- Excellent fuel economy on a highway run
- Sporty halo grade with the best equipment
- Chain-driven timing, no cambelt to replace
Cons
- DPF clogging and oil dilution on short urban trips
- Carbon build-up and early camshaft/oil-contamination reports
- Low-volume engine - fewer specialists, dearer parts
- Axed from the Australian range mid-2017; resale is niche
Known problems
high
DPF clogging and oil dilution
The SkyActiv-D injects post-combustion fuel to burn off the DPF; on short stop-start trips regens fail to complete, fuel washes past the rings into the sump and the oil level rises and dilutes. Repeated incomplete regens can clog the DPF and accelerate engine wear. A common, well-documented SkyActiv diesel issue across the 3, 6 and CX-5.
Fix: Regular highway driving to allow full regens; never switch off mid-regen; monitor oil level and change oil on time; DPF clean or replacement if clogged.
high
Carbon build-up / intake-shutter-valve recall
Carbon deposits accumulate in the intake and on the intake shutter valve, and some early engines suffered camshaft/oil-contamination problems. Mazda Australia issued a 9 October 2019 safety recall covering carbon accumulation in the engine intake shutter valve on diesel 3/6/CX-5 that could cause premature wear, loss of power and loss of vehicle control.
Fix: Confirm the 2019 recall work is completed; intake/EGR decarbon as needed; full diesel-specialist inspection pre-purchase.
medium
Injector and turbo issues at higher km
Common-rail injectors can wear and the twin-turbo system can suffer from oil-flow or carbon-related faults, causing rough running, smoke and hard starting.
Fix: Injector test/replacement and turbo inspection by a diesel specialist; use quality fuel and keep oil changes on schedule.
Common problems (all variants)
high
Takata passenger airbag recall (REC-005733)
Mazda3 BM/BN (and CX-3) 2013-2020 are covered by the Takata recall - the passenger airbag inflator propellant can degrade with moisture absorption and rupture abnormally in a crash, risking injury or death.
Fix: Free inflator replacement at an authorised Mazda dealer; verify the recall has been completed before purchase via VIN.
low
Front clutch/brake auto-hold and SCBS quirks
The low-speed Smart City Brake Support and i-stop/auto-hold systems can throw warning lights or false activations, often from dirty sensors or low battery voltage rather than a real fault.
Fix: Clean the SCBS sensor/window, check and replace the battery if weak, clear codes; software update if needed.
low
Road noise and interior rattles
A known weak point of the BM/BN is coarse-surface road noise and the occasional dash/door-trim rattle as the car ages.
Fix: Sound-deadening can help road noise; locate and re-clip trim for rattles - mostly cosmetic.
low
Front suspension/bush wear and tyre wear
Front lower control-arm bushes and links wear with km, giving clunks over bumps; the firm setup and front-drive layout can also chew front tyres.
Fix: Replace worn bushes/links, do a wheel alignment and rotate tyres regularly.