Mazdas are popular cars due to their engineering & stylistic components. The Japanese brand vehicle is almost rated on the higher end of the scale for reliability and general lifespan. Even Mazdas that have significant mileage on them can have a decent resale value.
For this reason, many people are curious about whether Mazdas hold their value and if you, as a consumer, can get your money’s worth out of this car while still being able to sell it for a fair price.
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How Resale Value Works
Generally, resale value is how much of the original value a consumer can get once they sell their car. It is exceptionally rare to get close to the amount back that you paid for the car, and this is usually only done with classic vehicles.
The key word when determining resale value is depreciation. It basically means how much value a car loses over time. Usually, this is determined on a yearly basis. For example, you will most likely get more for a car that is 5 years old versus a car that is 10 years old because its value naturally depreciates over time.
Other factors, like mileage, wear and tear, and any aftermarket upgrades can affect the resale value as well. Most vehicles depreciate by about 20% the moment they are driven off the lot. For example, if you bought a $10,000 vehicle, drove it for a week, and then sold it, you could expect to get around $8,000.
These are very rough estimates just based on current market value.
What About Mazda Resale Value?
Because Mazdas are a brand that is often sought after, their resale value is respectable. They aren’t the best in the automotive industry, but they are nowhere near the worst either. They are usually within the top 10 in the industry when it comes to holding their value.
The general rule of thumb is that for every 5 years, a Mazda’s value will depreciate between 40%-50%. Some models, such as the Mazda Miata, will have a higher resale value because they aren’t as common and are generally more coveted because it’s a sports car.
Other common cars, like the Mazda 3, won’t retain their value as much since they are generally made to be an “everyday driver” car.
Factors Affecting Mazda Resale Value
The depreciation percentage isn’t a hard and fast rule for determining a Mazda’s resale value. There are a couple of factors that will affect the final price.
Mileage
The higher mileage a car has, the less it will be worth. This is true for many vehicles. Higher mileage means more of a chance for engine and transmission problems and that translates directly onto the sticker price.
Wear and Tear
Aside from the usual maintenance factors (oil, tires, etc.), a Mazda with more body damage or previous mechanical problems will be worth less. If a vehicle has ever been in an accident, it severely affects its resale value.
That’s why tools such as Carfax exist so that consumers looking for a new car can see the entire vehicle history. A car that’s been in an accident may have issues that don’t appear right away so it’s important to check these things and it’s important to be honest about them if you plan on selling your Mazda.
Modifications
Another plus of Mazda cars is that they can be easily modified. Some models are actually quite popular in racing. Additions such as a turbo engine or a new exhaust can increase the resale value since these are not stock parts and are added to increase performance.
Examples of Mazda Resale Prices
All of these values are calculated based on an average of 15,000 miles per year, stock, with no accidents.
Mazda 3
One of the most common Mazdas, the Mazda 3, has an average depreciation value. They tend to be closer to the 45% range within a 5-year period. This means if you purchased a Mazda 3 about 5 years ago at $23,000, it will lose about $10,000 worth of value in that time.
Mazda 6
The Mazda 6 depreciation value is similar to that of a Mazda 3, just a little bit lower. Coming in at closer to the 37%-42% range, a $23,000 Mazda 6 purchased 5 years ago will have a resale value of around $14,300, losing around $8,700 of its original value.
Mazda CX-5
The depreciation value of a Mazda CX-5 is the lowest among these models so they hold their value more. This is largely due to the fact they are crossover SUVs which are generally more popular than sedans.
A Mazda CX-5 purchased at full price of around $33,000 will be worth close to $25,000 after 5 years. This is around a 27%-30% depreciation value and is quite favorable considering other vehicles on the market.
