2017 Mazda 3 2.0L Petrol · AF67 OKT

A fractured rear coil spring recorded as a Major defect on the 20 December 2023 test is the only outright failure in this Mazda 3's MOT history and therefore defines its mechanical narrative. While the car subsequently passed at the December 2024 retest and again on 1 December 2025 with no defects recorded, the fact that the spring had reached the point of complete fracture on a relatively lightly used vehicle is a noteworthy data point. The rear axle of this generation of Mazda 3 is known to be susceptible to coil spring failure, often linked to corrosion weakening of the spring rather than simple wear, so a prospective buyer should treat the replacement as confirmation that the original component had failed prematurely and inspect the remaining springs with that in mind. Aside from this isolated Major, the test history shows a stable, largely clean roadworthiness record with only minor advisories. With 32,223 miles recorded against a 2017 build date, this car has averaged roughly 3,580 miles per year, which is below the typical annual accumulation for a vehicle of this age. Testing has taken place annually without any multi-year gaps, indicating the vehicle has remained in continuous use and on the road throughout the period covered by the MOT record. Low annual mileage of this nature generally reduces wear on high-mileage items such as clutch friction material, internal engine components, and drivetrain bearings, but it can also allow certain parts to deteriorate through lack of regular use. The recorded progression of 2,129 miles between the 2024 and 2025 tests is consistent with this gentle usage pattern and suggests the car has not been subjected to heavy commuting or long-distance driving during the documented period. Given the documented coil spring fracture, particular attention should be paid to the remaining suspension components on a physical inspection and test drive. With the engine running and the vehicle parked on level ground, listen for any knocking or clonking noises from the rear axle when pressing down firmly on each corner of the boot or driving over uneven road surfaces, as fractured or weakened coil springs often produce audible impacts against the spring seats or chassis. Inspect the offside rear wheel arch and spring seat for any signs of surface corrosion or paint disturbance, which may indicate where the previous spring failed. On the move, the car should remain level during cornering and braking; any sagging at the rear or audible rattling from the boot area would warrant further investigation of the spring seats, dampers, and top mounts. The front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin in the December 2024 advisory, and while no further brake-related items have appeared since, pads at that wear level will typically require replacement within a relatively short mileage window. On a test drive, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive without any excessive travel, sponginess, or judder through the steering wheel under firm stopping, which could indicate worn discs rather than just pad wear. The nearside front tyre was also flagged as wearing on its edge in the 2022 advisory, suggesting a possible alignment issue that may persist; check that the vehicle tracks straight without steering pull and that the front tyres wear evenly across the full width of the tread. Finally, confirm that the offside rear adult belt buckle is fully accessible and operational, as the repeated child seat advisories across multiple tests indicate that a child restraint has been permanently fitted in that position, and any belt retraction or latch issues should be identified before purchase.