Known APK problem

Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN): brakes

On the Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN) the APK inspector finds brakes problems 70% more often than on cars of the same age: at 7–8 years 2.6%, against about 1.5% 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 Mazda3 (BM/BN)s with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

Age	Type	Mazda3 (BM/BN)	95%-CI	National	Difference	n
7 – 8 years	A	1.2%	0.7 – 1.8%	1.2%	1.0×	1,635
7 – 8 years	B	2.6%	1.9 – 3.5%	1.5%	1.7×	1,635
7 – 8 years	C	3.7%	2.9 – 4.8%	2.6%	1.4×	1,635
9 – 10 years	A	2.0%	1.5 – 2.6%	1.8%	1.1×	2,391
9 – 10 years	B	2.0%	1.6 – 2.7%	1.5%	1.3×	2,391
9 – 10 years	C	3.5%	2.8 – 4.3%	2.7%	1.3×	2,391
11 – 12 years	A	1.6%	1.1 – 2.2%	2.7%	0.6×	2,013
11 – 12 years	B	2.3%	1.8 – 3.1%	1.8%	1.3×	2,013
11 – 12 years	C	3.2%	2.5 – 4.0%	2.9%	1.1×	2,013

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 7–8 years

Model	Brakes	Vs. national
Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN)	2.6%	1.7×
Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse S205	0.3%	0.3×
MINI Mini Cabrio F57	1.0%	0.9×
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S212	0.3%	0.3×
BMW 2-serie Active Tourer F45	0.3%	0.3×

Looking at a Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN)? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN)s of the same age.

All weak spots of the Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN) · Brakes: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN) often have brakes problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 7–8 years the inspector found a brakes defect on 2.6% of inspected Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN)s, against about 1.5% of all cars of the same age (1.7×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the brakes on a used Mazda Mazda3 (BM/BN)?

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