2021 Mazda 3 2.0L Petrol · CJ21 NXT

The 2021 Mazda 3 presents a stable and improving maintenance picture following its most recent MOT pass on 21 October 2025 at 19,229 miles. That pass was clean of major mechanical defects, with only minor advisories for uneven front tyre wear. This outcome represents a clear resolution of the recurring suspension ball joint dust cover failures that caused a fail just three days earlier on 18 October 2025 at 19,121 miles. The nearside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover had deteriorated to no longer prevent dirt ingress, a defect that also appeared in the October 2024 failure at 13,261 miles. The fact that this was rectified within days for the retest suggests the previous owner addressed the immediate failure, though the recurrence of the same dust cover issue across two consecutive years indicates a pattern of gradual rubber degradation rather than a one-off event. The mileage profile is notably low for a five-year-old vehicle. At 19,229 miles recorded on 21 October 2025, the annual average sits at roughly 3,846 miles per year, well below the typical UK figure of around 8,000 to 12,000 miles annually. The jump from 13,261 miles on 28 October 2024 to 19,121 miles by 18 October 2025 accounts for approximately 5,860 miles in just under twelve months, which is a moderate increase but still modest in absolute terms. The gap between the October 2024 and October 2025 tests covers a full year with no intermediate mileage spikes, suggesting consistent rather than erratic use. The vehicle has not been sitting idle for extended periods, nor has it been subjected to high-mileage fleet-type wear. Buyers should focus their in-person inspection on the front suspension and steering components. The repeated failure of ball joint dust covers on both the nearside suspension arm and offside steering linkage points to a broader issue with rubber protective boots in this area. Degraded dust covers allow grit and moisture into joint assemblies, accelerating wear and potentially leading to premature ball joint replacement. Inspect all visible gaiters and boots for cracking, splitting, or oil residue. The uneven front tyre wear flagged in the October 2025 pass, particularly the heavy outer edge wear on the nearside, suggests possible alignment drift or suspension geometry issues that warrant a four-wheel alignment check. Given the low mileage, structural rust is unlikely, but examine the underside for any corrosion on subframes, suspension mounting points, and brake line brackets, as short-trip use in winter conditions can promote surface corrosion even on lightly used cars.