What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
Mazda 323 - Buying a 2nd hand mazda 3 auto help - Richard Burroughs

Hi everyone. Im looking for a car to replace my old ford fiesta. I really love the mazda 3. I need it to be an auto for my wife and when looking around thesw are almost too cheap. They have alot of miles on them and i was wondering if i should avoid them and wait a bit longer. After researching rust seems to be the biggest issue with these cars

Ive attached the links below and any advice would be super appreciated. Also should i avoid diesel?

Thankyou!

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20181124271...y New&onesearchad=Used

www.desperateseller.co.uk/cars-for-sale/advert/514...0

Mazda 323 - Buying a 2nd hand mazda 3 auto help - SLO76
The 3 is an excellent car in Skyactiv petrol form but the diesels are known for problems and are best avoided. Go for a petrol and while it’ll be slower than the diesel it’ll be reliable, comfortable and fun to drive. Historically rust has been an issue with Mazda but later models seem much improved with few previous gen 6’s for example showing any rot.

Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20181109226...9

Edited by SLO76 on 21/12/2018 at 23:10

Mazda 323 - Buying a 2nd hand mazda 3 auto help - davecooper

If you can go for the current model (2013 on) in petrol guise, you can't really go wrong. The 2 litre 120ps petrol engine is efficient and bomb proof and paired with the torque converter auto box should be super reliable. After 12 years of Mazda ownership, I have never had any rust issues or seen any on other Mazda's. Certainly not on any produced after the new naming convention in the early 2000's, eg, Mazda 2, 3, 6, Cx etc.