Used Mazda CX-3 review and buying guide (2015 to 2019): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Mazda CX-3 should you buy?

The 2.0 SkyActiv-G petrol is the lesser risk, because every owner's report of an engine problem on the CX-3 concerns a diesel. Two 1.5 diesels needed new injectors after the DPF warning came on, and on one of them the oil had risen above the maximum mark. That's not proof the petrol's faultless, though: there's simply less written about it.

Air con is what catches out both engines. Several owners of 2016 and 2017 cars found theirs wouldn't blow cold, and Mazda admitted a problem with the condensers and evaporators fitted to some CX-3s and Mazda2s. It told owners production had been put right, yet one car registered in March 2017 was still waiting on a proper fix in 2018, so don't treat a later car as safe without testing it.

The CX-3 was on sale between 2015 and 2019, and the record on it is thin: a handful of owners' reports and no list of known faults. That's a gap, not a clean bill of health, so judge the car in front of you rather than the year. It's also tight in the back, so if adults will ride there, sit behind the driver's seat before you get serious about one.

Which CX-3 engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 2.0 SkyActiv-G petrol has the least against it. Its one owner complaint was the air con, which isn't an engine fault and hits diesels too. There's nothing on record against the gearbox or the four-wheel-drive system either, but that's silence rather than proof they're tough, so check them on the drive like anything else.

The 1.5 SkyActiv-D diesel is the engine to be careful with. One 2016 car flashed its DPF light with oil over the maximum mark, and its dealer found faulty injectors and said Mazda knew of the problem. Another owner's 2016 diesel 4WD needed injectors to clear a DPF warning, then a MAP sensor. A third 2016 diesel, listed as a 2.0, flashed its DPF light at 28,000 miles despite regular 30 to 40 mile runs at 50 to 65mph.

If you still want the diesel, learn the i-stop page in the infotainment system. It shows whether the engine, battery and air con are each ready for stop-start to work, and one diesel owner reads it to spot when the DPF's in the middle of regenerating, which is worth knowing on a car that's had DPF warnings.

What should you check when viewing a used CX-3?

Set the air con to its coldest and feel the vents within the first few minutes. One owner's 2016 petrol, at 16,000 miles, still wouldn't blow cold after its air con was replaced with a part shipped from Japan, a job that took 5 weeks. Another owner was told to wait 8 weeks for parts, so ask for the invoice if a condenser or evaporator's been changed.

On a diesel, pull the dipstick before the test drive. One car with faulty injectors had oil sitting above the maximum mark when it was diagnosed, and a DPF warning light came before both injector replacements on record. Ask whether the injectors have been done, get the paperwork if they have, and don't buy one that shows a DPF warning on the drive.

Lift the tailgate and look along its inside edge for rust, which one owner found forming on the rear hatch. Check it stays up by itself, too. Then ask for proof of recall work: new tailgate struts (a 2017 recall, as water can rust them until the tailgate drops without warning), new brake hose clips (a 2017 recall for clips that could corrode and fail) and a 2018 engine software update to stop the DCDC converter overheating and catching fire.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Mazda CX-3 cost to run?

What do CX-3 owners like about them?

It's a genuinely good car to drive. It's sharp and agile through bends, yet the ride stays comfortable rather than crashy, so you don't pay for the handling every time you hit a pothole. If you enjoy driving and don't want to be jiggled about for it, that's the main reason to pick a CX-3.

The cabin feels a cut above, with materials and finish that look and feel properly put together rather than built down to a budget. There's also the option of four-wheel drive, which is worth hunting for if you live up a muddy lane or somewhere that sees snow every winter.

• The vehicle offers excellent driving dynamics, providing an engaging experience for the driver, combined with impressive ride comfort.
• The cabin features a high quality interior, with materials and finishes that contribute to a premium feel.
• This particular model is available with an all-wheel drive option, enhancing traction and stability in various conditions.
• The 2015 model achieved a four-star Euro NCAP rating, with strong scores for adult and child occupant safety.