How Long Do Mazdas Last?

Mazdas can last up to 300,000 miles or 15 years, and the most reliable of all is the mid-sized Mazda6.
Written by Jessie Devine
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Known for lightweight, fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient cars, Mazdas are reliable and can last up to 200,000 miles.
Mazda has a reliability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, ranking 5th out of 32 car brands and edging out competitors like Ford and Chevrolet.
While Mazdas are reliable cars, some models are more so than others.
Car insurance
broker and shopping app
Jerry
presents a guide to the Mazda lifespan: which models last the longest, which are the least reliable, and how you can improve your Mazda’s longevity. We'll even show you the easiest way to lower your
Mazda insurance cost
.
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Are Mazdas reliable? 

Yes.
Mazda has a reputation for producing reliable cars. In 2021, Mazda won
US News’ Best Car Brand Award
, 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick, and 2nd Place from Consumer Reports for overall reliability.
Mazda’s reliability can be seen in its low maintenance cost, with annual ownership figures around $462 on average.

How many miles can a Mazda last? 

Mazdas have a lifespan of up to 300,000 miles. 
According to consumer data, Mazdas have a long lifespan. If diligently maintained, they’ll go between 200,000 and 300,000 miles without any severe problems. Anecdotally, some Mazdas have over 350,000 miles and are still hitting the road.

How many years can a Mazda last? 

The average lifespan of a Mazda is up to 15 years. Compared to the 12-year average for standard cars, Mazda comes out ahead of its competitors.
Longevity in years depends on how many miles you drive annually. If you’re a high-mileage driver, your car won’t last as long as someone who doesn’t drive as much. Additionally, you’ll need to perform routine care and maintenance on your Mazda to keep it running.
Key Takeaways Mazdas are reliable, and with the right care, they’ll last longer than their competitors.

The most reliable Mazda models

Overall, Mazda is a reliable car brand with a focus on zippy performance. It sets itself apart from its competitors with consistently high scores for quality and dependability—but some of its models are better than others.
A car’s reliability depends on its:
  • Rate of recalls
  • Frequency and severity of mechanical issues
  • Maintenance costs
Using these criteria, we’re evaluating Mazda models using
J.D. Power’s
Quality & Reliability ratings and
Edmunds.com’s
True Cost to Own® estimates.

Mazda6 

Image of a black Mazda6.
2021 starting price: $25,470
True cost to own (5 years): $42,800
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 83/100 
J.D. Power
ranks the
Mazda6
2nd out of all midsize cars. It’s Mazda’s most reliable vehicle with a great Quality & Reliability Score. This car was also awarded
IIHS
2021 Top Safety Pick for midsize cars and landed on Car and Driver's 2021 Editors' Choice list.

CX-5 

Image of a red mazda cx 5 driving through a residential area.
2021 starting price: $26,595
True cost to own (5 years): $44,126
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 81/100 
Bigger than the Mazda6, the
CX-5
is a compact SUV with a great Quality & Reliability Score. It was on Car and Driver's 2021 Editors' Choice list and beat out over 300 cars to earn a Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars and Trucks for 2021 award. 

CX-9

Image of a gray CX-9 courtesy of Mazda.
2021 starting price: $35,385
True cost to own (5 years): $61,606
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 80/100 
The
Mazda CX-9
was ranked #3 by J.D. Power for Best Upper Midsize SUVs in 2021. Like other Mazdas, the CX-9 is also on Car and Driver’s Editors’ Choice Awards list.
The CX-9 has impressive crash-test ratings, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The least reliable Mazda models

Mazda produces consistent cars, but they aren’t all 5-star reliable. The CX-30 and the CX-3, in particular, stand out for their lower reliability scores.

CX-30

Image of a gray Mazda cx 30 courtesy of Mazda.
2021 starting price: $23,275
True cost to own (5 years): $41,052
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 75/100 
The
CX-30
is a subcompact SUV with an average score for reliability from J.D. Power. This car has been the subject of two safety
recalls
, one for tire valves that suddenly lose air and the other for a hatchback liftgate that drops unexpectedly.

CX-3

Image of a red Mazda CX-3 courtesy of Mazda
2021 starting price: $21,965
True cost to own (5 years): $37,793
2021 J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 72/100 
The
CX-3
receives the lowest reliability rating of any Mazda from J.D. Power. This is due to the high frequency of issues with the car’s climate control and power equipment, as well as problems with the suspension.
Key Takeaway The most reliable Mazda is the Mazda6, while the least reliable is the CX-3.

How to make your Mazda last longer

The more seriously you take the maintenance of your Mazda, the longer it will last. Dedicating time, energy, and money to the care of your car is the number one way to extend its longevity. Here’s how:
  • Follow a
    routine maintenance schedule
    to keep your car running smoothly
  • Only use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts
  • Schedule inspections in between routine services to catch any unexpected issues 
  • Keep the vehicle clean to decrease wear and tear caused by dust, mud, and salt
  • Drive carefully to avoid damage or accidents
MORE: How to make your car last longer

How to find affordable Mazda insurance

If you want your Mazda to last, invest in a good insurance policy. Insurance will help cover unexpected repairs due to collisions and other accidents. If you want the best coverage for the best price, let the car insurance comparison app
Jerry
find it for you.
It takes less than a minute to sign up, and then Jerry will find quotes from over 50 top insurance companies. You can compare them easily to choose the best coverage for your Mazda.
As a
licensed broker
, Jerry will finalize the new policy and even help you cancel your old one. With Jerry, you can expect nothing less than end-to-end support. Jerry is by your side for the lifetime of your policy and will monitor your rates to let you know if there are better prices when it’s time to renew. Jerry users save an average of $887 a year! 
 “This app is all about savings!
Jerry
just saved me $193/month on my car insurance. They literally found me the cheapest policies out there and with better coverage! Seriously, just sit back and watch Jerry work its magic.” —Rachel B.

FAQs

Although Mazdas frequently outlast their competitors and can run up to 300,000 miles, a Mazda with 120,000 miles or above is considered high mileage.
Mazdas are less expensive to maintain than other cars. The average annual repair cost for Mazdas is $462—significantly lower than the $652 average across all models.
Estimate your repair costs for free with GarageGuard™
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