Hi! I’ve had my mk3 for a few days now and I’ve noticed that the seatbelts do not retract back when I get out the car, is this normal? Is there a way of fixing this? Thanks!
There is a modified seatbelt guide available from Mazda, the one on the seat, but I’m not sure that it’s a very good fix. Basically the problem is dirt build up on the seatbelt webbing making it stick in the upper mount guide. I have found a technique by flattening the seatbelt with my fingers as it passes through the guide on the seat and encouraging it to retract. Not ideal but I’m getting used to doing it now.
I had (have!) the same problem.
Mazda replaced the seat belt guides for the modified ones under warranty even though the car is 5 years old.
Thats the good news… The bad news is that it made not one jot of difference!
I have just learned to live with it and make sure the buckle doesnt slam in the door.
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i thought it was just my MK3, i have tried cleaning the belts but no luck, still not retracting
I had the same problem! After pulling the belt out fully I cleaned it all up with silicone spray and let it retract a few times.
Seem to solve it for a month or two but its just as bad now
Seems like a very common fault with the NC.
Just get use to slowly feeding it back through your fingers (stop laughing at the back!)
Brilliant, your responses reassure me that it isn’t just me! I’ll just live with it, just wanted to know that it wasn’t an isolated problem.
Thanks for your responses and suggestions! 
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Failed the MOT today with my '07 NC because the seat belt wouldn’t retract properly 
Apparently, or so I was told after being presented with the estimate of £404 (inclusive of 10% parts discount!), a new unit is required for the drivers side.
After recovery and having researched this issue from this excellent forum I’m scrubbing both belts to hopefully save myself some very unwanted expense.
Mine haven’t retracted properly for the last 3-4 MOT’s, nowt mentioned not even an advisory. 
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Yep, dunk them in a bucket of hot water numerous times, use mild soap, dunk them again.
Run between a towel to dry and wash them again.
You get the message.
There is also some friction on the belt guide on the seat tops, which doesn’t help.
I wonder if removing this would help, and would it pass the MOT without it ?
I’m still on the hunt for someone who may have swapped one for this reason.
I’m hoping one day to prove a theory that the retraction can be adjusted a little.
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Mine were pretty slow, i soaked them overnight in soda crystals and water in a bucket on the seat , rinsed with medium pressure water , dried and fitted new guides and they now retract pretty well
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Likewise but apparently the regs were tightened last October.
Mine passed the MOT last month.
Having done the cleaning operation I removed the cover over where the seat belt retracts downwards. It is held in place by a single expanded pin plug and low and behold it virtually takes your fingers off as the belt retracts. This is not the guide on the seat top but where the trim fits the ‘B’ post. So there’s nothing wrong with the belt or the unit. It might go back for re-test without a piece of trim!
From memory the new guides are wider but they also change the angle of aproach to the trim so that could be it !
Hmm - it looks like I’ve had an over zealous tester then. {7.1.2 (e)] of the MOT inspection manual say;
"For retracting seat belts, check that excess webbing is wound into the retracting unit with the mechanism fastened and the seat unoccupied. Check this with the seat base set in its rearmost position.
Some types of retracting belt might need manual help before they retract. If a temporary device is fitted to prevent retraction, you can remove it."
I don’t know what type of retracting belt they refer to above but that’s what I’ve been doing for about 7 years of ownership although the help needed was towards the end of the retraction process.
“Check this with the seat base set in its rear most position”
That’s why my car always has the seat right back after the MOT.
I’m taller than the tester, been going to the same place for years.
Mine was also like that but fine now.
Washed belts- you should have seen the water!
Sprayed with silicone. Both helped a lot.
Replaced the top guides- sorted. All free running now!