2018 Mazda 3 2.0L Petrol · AE18 XNJ

The Mazda 3 presents as roadworthy following its most recent pass on 7 April 2026 at 85,601 miles, with no defects logged. The maintenance trend is stable across the recorded history. The April 2026 test also shows a same-day fail with no defects recorded, a pattern repeated on 23 March 2024 when a fail at 60,582 miles preceded a pass at 60,584 miles. These paired entries with zero faults indicate administrative rejections, not mechanical faults, rather than worsening condition. Annual mileage sits at roughly 10,700 miles, typical for an eight-year-old car. The record moves from 60,584 miles in March 2024 to 72,483 miles in February 2025, then to 85,601 miles by April 2026. That is about 12,000 and 13,000 miles per year respectively, a slight rise over the long-term average but unremarkable. No standing periods or sudden accumulation show in the data. The clean sheet across every test means consumable wear and structural items passed without advisories each time. A buyer should still confirm in person what the MOT cannot capture. The absence of advisories on coil springs, suspension bushes, brake discs, and corrosion across four tests suggests previous owners kept the car to standard, but a 2026 car with 85,601 miles can hide worn dampers or tired tyres between tests. The repeated no-defect fails point to clerical errors at the testing station, not owner neglect. Given the spotless mechanical record, prioritise a visual check of underbody structural integrity and exhaust emissions during a viewing. Inspect brake calipers for free movement and confirm tyre tread depth, since these items drew no tester flags yet remain consumables. The history implies competent upkeep; a pre-purchase inspection remains sensible on age alone.