Mazda 3 buying guide (Ireland, 2026)
What a used Mazda 3 costs in Ireland, how it does at the NCT, what goes wrong and what it costs to fix. Based on 91 for sale right now.
Our take on the Mazda 3
A 2022 Mazda 3 typically advertises at €24,950 and a 2017 one at €10,000, so it loses roughly 17% of its value a year at that age, faster than most cars. Most for sale are diesels (100%), which suit longer, regular drives; for mostly short trips a petrol is the safer buy. At the NCT, the 2019–2020 cars do better than other cars the same year.
Check a Mazda 3's priceNCT pass rate by year
Used Mazda 3 prices by year
Typical asking price by registration year, and typical mileage. Private sellers usually take 5–10% less than asking; expect dealers to be a little dearer.
| Year | Typical price | Typical mileage | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | €38,950 | – | 14 |
| 2025 | €34,950 | – | 6 |
| 2022 | €24,950 | – | 5 |
| 2019 | €15,950 | 142k km | 7 |
| 2018 | €12,000 | – | 6 |
| 2017 | €10,000 | 153k km | 15 |
| 2015 | €5,800 | 204k km | 9 |
Mazda 3 NCT pass rate
How often Mazda 3s pass their NCT first time, compared with other cars the same year (Road Safety Authority (RSA), NCT make & model data 2025, initial tests).
| Year | Pass first time | Other cars, same year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80% | 80% | |
| 2020 | 84% | 75% | |
| 2019 | 79% | 74% | |
| 2018 | 69% | 67% | |
| 2017 | 62% | 64% | |
| 2016 | 51% | 55% | |
| 2015 | 52% | 53% | |
| 2014 | 46% | 51% | |
| 2013 | 47% | 46% | |
| 2011 | 38% | 38% | |
| 2010 | 36% | 34% | |
| 2008 | 31% | 30% |
Most common reasons a 2019 Mazda 3 fails: wheels & tyres (5.8% of tests), brake test (rollers) (4% of tests, more than most cars), safety equipment (3.8% of tests), brakes (3.8% of tests, more than most cars).
Cheap fixes before the NCT (eBay.ie): Tyre tread depth gaugeBrake pads for the Mazda 3Wiper blades for the Mazda 3
Parts and upgrades for the Mazda 3
Parts for the Mazda 3 on eBay.ie
New and used parts from Irish and UK sellers. Check the part number or fit before you buy.
Brake padsCheck front or rear, and the disc size if there are twoSee on eBay.ie →
Brake discsReplace in pairs, with new padsSee on eBay.ie →
Oil filterChange it at every oil serviceSee on eBay.ie →
Wiper bladesSplit or smearing blades can fail the NCTSee on eBay.ie →
BulbsA blown bulb is an easy NCT failSee on eBay.ie →
BatteryCheck the size and terminal layoutSee on eBay.ie →
OBD2 fault code readerReads engine fault codes on your phoneSee on eBay.ie →Example photos, not the exact product (Wikimedia Commons): Treemonster86, CC BY-SA 3.0; Tharish, CC BY-SA 3.0; Dvortygirl, CC BY-SA 3.0; Wesha, Public domain; Mib18, CC BY-SA 3.0; Cjp24, CC BY-SA 4.0; Arp, Public domain.
Upgrades for the Mazda 3
Popular add-ons. The mats are made for this model; the rest fit most cars. More car accessories →
Floor matsMade to fit the Mazda 3See on eBay.ie →
CarPlay screenAdds Apple CarPlay (and usually Android Auto) to a car without it: sits on the dashSee on eBay.ie →
Wireless CarPlay adapterFor cars that already have CarPlay with a cableSee on eBay.ie →
Reversing cameraMakes parking easier; some CarPlay screens come with oneSee on eBay.ie →
Phone holderKeeps your phone off your lap for directionsSee on eBay.ie →
Dash camFootage settles insurance arguments quicklySee on eBay.ie →Example photos, not the exact product (Wikimedia Commons): Keystones, CC BY-SA 3.0; Butterhimmel, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sunnyboy122, CC0; https://www.flickr.com/photos/banoootah_qtr/, CC BY 2.0; Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0; Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Before you buy a used Mazda 3
Run a history check on the reg (write-off, finance owing, mileage), ask when the timing belt was done and for receipts, and start it from cold yourself. The used car checklist takes you through a viewing step by step.
Other Mazda guides
Mazda CX-5Mazda CX-30Mazda DemioMazda CX-60Mazda MAZDA3Mazda MAZDA2Mazda 2Mazda CX-80