In short
At 5–6 years (mostly built 2019–2021) 2.0% of 344 inspected Mazda Mazda3 (BP)s had at least one A-problem at the APK, against 1.9% for all cars of the same age. Over all ages together an A-problem occurs 11% less often on this model than on average. Most often it concerns seat belts and seats and airbags — seat belts, seats and airbags occurs 4.0× as often as on comparable cars.
Cite these figures
CarXray.nl (2026). Mazda Mazda3 (BP) — APK defects by age. Based on RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. https://carxray.nl/en/modellen/mazda/mazda3-bp/
A-problems
2.0%
n = 344 · 95% CI 1.0 – 4.1%
National, same age
1.9%
n = 531,655 · 95% CI 1.9 – 1.9%
Defects at the APK by age
- Mazda Mazda3 (BP)
- National, same age
- 95% confidence interval
| Age | Built (approx.) | n | A-problems | 95% CI | All defects | National A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 – 4 years | 2021–2023 | 682 | 1.0% | 0.5 – 2.1% | 19.4% | 1.3% |
| 5 – 6 years | 2019–2021 | 344 | 2.0% | 1.0 – 4.1% | 21.8% | 1.9% |
| 7 – 8 years | 2017–2019 | — | insufficient | 3.1% | ||
| 9 – 10 years | 2015–2017 | — | insufficient | 4.7% | ||
| 11 – 12 years | 2013–2015 | — | insufficient | 7.2% | ||
| 13 – 15 years | 2010–2013 | — | insufficient | 10.6% | ||
| 16+ years | 2010 or older | — | insufficient | 15.3% |
Weak spots
What to check extra on this generation.
| Point to check | Share · sample · 95% CI | Vs. same class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts, seats and airbags | 1.7% · n = 344 · 0.8 – 3.8% | 4.0× |
Open recalls
Check the status of this specific car.
About this generation
- Production years
- 2020 – 2026
- RDW type code(s)
- BPE
- Trade name(s)
- 3
- Registered (type group)
- 3,999
- Generation boundary
- Draft, being checked
See other 3 generations Similar models
Same type of car and era, at 5–6 years. Mazda3 (BP): 2.0% A-problems.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mazda 3 reliable?
The APK tells you about defects, not breakdowns. At 5–6 years 2.0% of inspected Mazda Mazda3 (BP)s had at least one A-problem (structure, safety or costly mechanics), against 1.9% nationally at the same age. The maintenance of the specific car matters more than the model.
Which model years do these figures cover?
The inspections run from 2025-10 to 2026-09. Cars aged 5–6 years were then mostly built in 2019–2021. The data table shows the build years per age class.
What are the most common problems?
The most common A-problems at the APK are seat belts, seats and airbags. See the weak spots above and take them into your checklist.
Take these insights to the viewing
Use our checklist and focus on the key points for this Mazda Mazda3 (BP).