Mazda3 Tune-Up & Maintenance Costs (Complete Guide)

Available in both sedan and hatchback, the Mazda3 is a Japanese compact car that made its debut 2003.

It’s well known for its stylish designs and sharp handling, and has won multiple awards over the years.

In this article we’ll give you the full breakdown of its maintenance, tune-up and running costs.

Here is the short answer to are Mazda3 expensive to maintain:

The Mazda3 has very reasonable maintenance costs. It will cost you around $433 to maintain a Mazda3 every year, which is notably lower than the average of $526 annually for compact cars. A tune-up will be around $338, including the replacement of spark plugs.

Are Mazda3 Expensive to Maintain?

The Mazda3 has very attractive maintenance costs and is much cheaper to maintain than many other cars in the compact car segment.

When looking to buy a new vehicle it’s important to assess maintenance costs to ensure you’re able to properly look after it.

Failing to stay on top of routine servicing and repairs will lead to poor reliability and shorten the lifespan of your vehicle.

Below you’ll find a complete price breakdown for some of the most common costs for the Mazda3, all data is from RepairPal:

Mazda3 Maintenance	Cost
Average annual repairs and maintenance	$433
Tune-Up Cost	$338
Alternator replacement	$516 – $755
Oil change	$123 – $137
Wiper blade replacement	$92 – $100
Air filter replacement	$46 – $52
Battery replacement	$269 – $276
New brakes	$190 – $208
Coolant change	$94 – $118
New tires (set of 4)	$560 – $720
New tire (one only)	$140 – $180
New spark plugs	$143 – $210
Tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance	$79 – $100
New transmission	$3500
Insurance	$1352 / year (average)

How Much is a Tune-Up on a Mazda3?

This will vary greatly depending on where you take your Mazda3 and you’ll likely have to pay more at a Mazda dealership than your local mechanic.

Mazda recommends having a tune-up every 5,000 miles or six months whichever comes first.

You can expect to pay in the region of $338 for a fairly comprehensive Mazda3 tune-up that includes, but is not limited to:

Replacement of plugs, wires and other parts in the ignition system
Thorough inspection of engine components
Thorough inspection of belts and hoses
Filters changed e.g. oil, fuel, air, and cabin.
Fluids changed where needed e.g. engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid.

Whilst your Mazda3 is under warranty it is advised you get it serviced at a registered Mazda dealership.

Regular tune-ups are highly recommended because:

They can bring more power back to your engine.
Helps your engine run efficiently and start smoothly, which equates to lower emissions and better fuel economy.
Ensures long-term engine health and performance

Alternator Replacement Cost?

A new alternator on a Mazda3 will set you back between $516 – $755 for a replacement which should last around 80,000 to 150,000 miles or 5 – 10 years

While the battery is used for starting your car when the engines off, the alternator keeps your car alive when the engine is running.

The alternator powers most electronic components while you’re driving around or idling and is also responsible for charging the battery of your car while driving.

Oil Change Cost?

The cost of an oil change should cost in the region of $123 to $137, this includes parts and labor, however does not include taxes and fees. An oil change is one of the most meaningful and vital services for your car.

An oil change should be performed on the Mazda3 every 3,000 – 5,000 miles for conventional oil.
Synthetic oil typically should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles.

At most, oil change intervals should not exceed 10,000 miles, twelve months, or 350 hours of engine run time (whichever comes first)

Wiper Blade Replacement Cost?

This is a relatively simple and quick fix, and you can easily save yourself a few bucks by buying your own wiper blades and installing them yourself, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials on this.

Most Mazda3s use a 24″ wiper blade on the driver’s side, an 18″ on the passenger’s side and a 12″ on the rear, its best to double-check with your owner’s manual though.

Wiper blades for the Mazda3 can be picked up for around $30, and installed by yourself for free.

However, if you want a professional to fit them for you then you can expect to pay in the region of $92 to $100 for parts and labor with taxes and fees on top.

Air Filter Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, air filter replacement cost on a Mazda3 is between $46 to $52, not including taxes and fees.

The good news is this task, which should be performed annually or whenever the filter is clogged or dirty, is another fairly straightforward DIY.

Simply open the hood, locate and open the air filter’s housing, remove the old one, insert the new one and replace the housing cover.

This will help both your car and your bank account breathe a little easier, lots of tutorials on YouTube for this one also.

Battery Replacement Cost?

According to RepairPal, the cost of a battery replacement for a Mazda3 should cost $269 to $276.

Whilst there are no specific mileage recommendations for when a battery needs to be replaced, they do eventually die.

In general, it’s a good idea to replace your battery once every 4-5 years.

A vehicle’s battery life varies depending on many different factors such as climate, driving habits, and battery type, among many others.

To help your battery last longer:

Keep your battery tightly fastened: The vibrations of your car can loosen the connections, potentially resulting in short circuits and internal damage.
Limit short rides: Short rides prevent the battery from fully charging.
Control Corrosion: Clean the terminals (toothbrush dipped in baking soda and water mixture) and keep them free from build-up.

New Brakes Cost?

Mazda3 brake pads can last anywhere between 30,000 to 60,000 miles and necessary brake work isn’t a cost you can afford to neglect.

The average cost to replace your Mazda3 brake pads, according to RepairPal, is between $190 and $208.

Brake pads will wear out at different rates depending on factors such as climate and your style of driving.

Pro tip: To prolong the life of your brakes – Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and use smooth, controlled braking.

Cost to Change Coolant?

If it’s just a top-up your Mazda3 requires then this is a simple task you can perform yourself.

You can pick up coolant at any gas station for a few bucks and top up to the level required.

If on the other hand, you require a coolant change, which simply involves draining the coolant from the base of the radiator and then replenishing with fresh fluids, this is going to cost you a bit more.

According to RepairPal, the average cost of a Mazda3 coolant change is between $94 and $118 (excluding taxes and fees).

You may also be interested in our article:

How Much Does a New Transmissions Cost?

Transmissions on the Mazda3 typically last 10 – 14 years or around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, depending on how well they are maintained and how the car is driven.

The average cost for an aftermarket or rebuilt transmission for a Mazda3 could be over $3500. This range may vary depending on the model year.

You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Mazda3 Last?

Tire & Wheel Assembly, Rotate & Balance Cost

Tire rotate ensures each tire gets worn evenly whilst balancing ensures they roll smoothly and there’s no vibration (this also helps improve your fuel economy).

According to RepairPal, the average cost for a Mazda3 tire & wheel assembly rotate & balance is between $79 and $100 – this does not include taxes and fees.

How much Insurance Cost?

According to insruaviz.com, the average cost of Mazda3 insurance is $113 / month or $1352 / year (as opposed to the $1,523 national average car insurance rate).

These figures can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as your age, driving record and state requirements etc.

It’s always best to shop around and get at least 3 quotes, make sure the company you choose is reputable.
Use price comparison sites like Compare.com.
There are big discounts available for taking additional driving courses or being a senior
The best way to keep your insurance costs down is to drive safely

Mazda3 Repair Costs Compared to Similar Cars

In this section we’ll compare the maintenance costs of the Mazda3 to some of its biggest rivals, using data from RepairPal.

Mazda3 Vs VW Golf

TThe VW Golf is an originator in the compact hatchback segment.

The Mazda3 is cheaper to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $433 Vs the VW Golf’s $630.

	Mazda3	VW Golf
Reliability rating	4.0/5.0	4.0/5.0
Repair Pal ranking	9th / 36 Compact cars	25th / 36 Compact Cars
Visits to a repair shop per year	0.3	0.3
Probability of a repair being severe	10%	11%

Both of these cars offer excellent drivability and comfort and you can’t go wrong with either model.

In hatchback form, the Golf gets better fuel economy and offers more cargo space although the Mazda3 is more reliable and is the sexier option of the two.

You may also be interested in our article: VW Golf Tune-Up & Maintenance Costs

Mazda3 Vs Honda Civic

First introduced in the US in 1972, the Honda Civic is one of the world’s most popular cars.

The Mazda3 is more expensive to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $433 Vs the Honda Civic’s $368.

To put that into perspective the average annual repair cost for all midsize cars is $526 per year and $652 across all makes and models.

	Mazda3	Honda Civic
Reliability rating	4.0/5.0	4.5/5.0
Repair Pal ranking	9th / 36 Compact cars	3rd / 36 Compact Cars
Visits to a repair shop per year	0.3	0.3
Probability of a repair being severe	10%	8%

Both of these models are extremely popular and both attract a well-earnt fan base.

The Civic is slightly more fuel efficient, has more trunk space and edges the Mazda3 in terms of pricing although its interior isn’t as swanky.

You can find a full price breakdown of Civic ownership costs here.

Mazda3 Vs Toyota Corolla

Introduced in the US in 1968 the Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling car.

The Mazda3 is more expensive to maintain with an average annual repairs total of $433 Vs the Toyota Corolla’s $362.

	Mazda3	Toyota Corolla
Reliability rating	4.0/5.0	4.5/5.0
Repair Pal ranking	9th / 36 Compact cars	1st / 36 Compact Cars
Visits to a repair shop per year	0.3	0.3
Probability of a repair being severe	10%	7%

The Mazda3 stands out with its stylish design and luxurious cabin however the Corolla delivers better efficiency and comfort at a more affordable cost.

You can find a full price breakdown of Corolla ownership costs here

How Long is the Mazda3 Manufacturers Warranty?

When you drive your new Mazda3 off the dealership lot, you’ll be covered by Mazda’s factory warranty of 36,000 miles / 3 years basic coverage and 60,000 miles / 5 years (whichever comes first) powertrain coverage.

This length of protection is actually quite common among car manufacturers however it is on the shorter side of warranties

You can check your vehicle warranty status, track your service history, view your Owner’s Manual and more on the Mazda website using the VIN. If you cannot find the VIN, the only real way to check your vehicle’s factory warranty is to call or visit your local dealership.

Resources

Author:

Ian Sawyer

Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

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