2021 Mazda 3 2.0L Petrol · HX71 JDU

The 2021 Mazda 3 passed its most recent MOT on 16 July 2025 at 9,599 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than resolving. That latest test flagged all four tyres for cracking, perishing, and a cut on the offside front, alongside both rear brake discs worn, pitted, or scored. These are the exact same defects recorded at the previous test on 23 July 2024 at 7,880 miles, meaning the previous owner carried the same tyre and brake disc advisories for a full year and roughly 1,719 miles without addressing them. A vehicle that leaves advisories unresolved across consecutive tests suggests reactive rather than proactive maintenance. The mileage pattern raises its own questions. In five years the car has covered just 9,599 miles, averaging around 1,920 miles per year, which is exceptionally low. The gap between the two recorded tests, 1,719 miles over twelve months, confirms this is a genuinely low-use vehicle rather than one with a tampered odometer. Prolonged standing can itself cause the very defects seen here: tyre sidewall perishing and cracking from ozone exposure and lack of rotation, plus surface corrosion and pitting on brake discs from the pads sitting stationary against the same patch of metal. Neither condition is necessarily dangerous at this stage, but both are direct consequences of the car sitting idle for extended periods. A buyer should inspect the tyres carefully before purchase. The repeated advisories for cracking, perishing, and a cut on the offside front tyre suggest the rubber has aged unevenly, and any sidewall damage on a five-year-old tyre warrants replacement regardless of remaining tread depth. The rear brake discs showing wear, pitting, or scoring on consecutive tests also need close examination. Surface pitting from standing corrosion can accelerate pad wear and reduce braking efficiency, and if the disc thickness is approaching the manufacturer minimum, replacement will be due shortly. The front brake discs were not flagged, which is a positive sign that the primary braking axle has fared better. Beyond the flagged items, a buyer should check the underside for corrosion given the car's age and low use. Suspension bushes, coil springs, and exhaust mounting points can deteriorate from environmental exposure even without high mileage. Brake calipers should be inspected for signs of binding, particularly at the rear where disc condition has been flagged twice. The tyre pressures and spare tyre condition are also worth verifying, as a vehicle that has sat for long periods may have slow leaks or flat spots that a static inspection would not reveal. Overall, the car appears structurally sound with no dangerous failures, but the repeated advisories point to a previous owner who deferred basic upkeep, and that pattern should inform the buyer's negotiation and pre-purchase inspection.