Known APK problem

Mazda CX-3: brakes

On the Mazda CX-3 the APK inspector finds brakes problems 8.0× as often as on cars of the same age: at 3–4 years 5.1%, against about 0.6% nationally.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Worn or rusted brake discs and pads, or uneven braking.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

Ask the seller: When were the brake discs and pads last replaced?

By age

Share of inspected Mazda CX-3s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	CX-3	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
3 – 4 years	B	5.1%	2.9 – 8.6%	0.6%	8.0×	237
5 – 6 years	A	1.3%	0.8 – 2.1%	0.8%	1.7×	1,313
5 – 6 years	B	2.4%	1.7 – 3.4%	1.1%	2.1×	1,313
5 – 6 years	C	1.1%	0.7 – 1.9%	1.8%	0.6×	1,313
7 – 8 years	A	0.6%	0.4 – 0.8%	1.2%	0.5×	6,126
7 – 8 years	B	1.4%	1.2 – 1.8%	1.4%	1.0×	6,126
7 – 8 years	C	2.1%	1.7 – 2.4%	2.6%	0.8×	6,126
9 – 10 years	A	0.8%	0.6 – 1.0%	2.0%	0.4×	6,403
9 – 10 years	B	1.5%	1.2 – 1.8%	1.7%	0.9×	6,403
9 – 10 years	C	2.6%	2.2 – 3.0%	2.9%	0.9×	6,403

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 3–4 years

Model	Brakes	Vs. national
Mazda CX-3	5.1%	8.0×
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross	0.6%	0.9×
SEAT Arona	0.7%	1.5×
Hyundai Kona I Electric	0.6%	1.3×
Citroën C5 Aircross	0.7%	1.5×
Škoda Enyaq	1.0%	2.3×

Looking at a Mazda CX-3? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Mazda CX-3s of the same age.

All weak spots of the Mazda CX-3 · Brakes: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mazda CX-3 often have brakes problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 3–4 years the inspector found a brakes defect on 5.1% of inspected Mazda CX-3s, against about 0.6% of all cars of the same age (8.0×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the brakes on a used Mazda CX-3?

Look through the wheel at the discs: no deep grooves or thick rust edge. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stay straight.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know