2008 Mazda 3 1.6L Petrol · FN08 XMA

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, having passed its most recent MOT in December 2025 with 100,777 miles. The maintenance trend shows a pattern of reactive repairs where the owner addresses specific defects only after a test failure. While the car failed in December 2025 due to simple bulb failures, the immediate re-test pass just one mile later indicates that the current owner is willing to rectify minor electrical faults to keep the vehicle legal. At 100,777 miles, this 18-year-old Mazda shows significantly low mileage, averaging approximately 5,600 miles per year. The data indicates consistent annual usage, with roughly 11,600 miles covered between the December 2023 and December 2024 tests. This low annual mileage suggests the engine and drivetrain components may have faced less stress than average, though it increases the likelihood of age-related degradation, such as perished rubber components and seals, which occur when vehicles remain stationary relative to the distance driven. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the front suspension geometry. The record reveals a persistent issue with worn lower suspension arm rear bushes on both sides, which appeared as advisories in 2023 and 2024. These components have not been noted as replaced, and continued wear will lead to poor handling and uneven tyre wear. Additionally, the offside rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joint showed play in 2024 and should be checked for increased movement to ensure it does not develop into a mechanical failure. The history also highlights recurring issues with clouded headlamp lenses noted in both 2023 and 2024, suggesting the plastic housings are suffering from UV oxidation. Given the age of the vehicle and the specific model of this Mazda, a physical inspection must also check for structural corrosion on the sills and wheel arches, as rust is a common failure point for this generation that is not always captured in the MOT advisories until it becomes significant.