2007 Mazda 3 1.6L Petrol · LM56 HMH

A pattern of corrosion advisories combined with two significant fluid-related component failures in 2023 and 2024 shapes the mechanical picture of this Mazda 3, with the 2025 test outcome confirming it is currently roadworthy but carrying forward structural concerns. On 11 April 2025 the vehicle passed with advisories including rear suspension component corrosion, an under-inflated offside rear tyre, and a nail in an offside rear tyre. The structural advisory mirrors the surface corrosion under the vehicle flagged across both 2024 tests, suggesting chassis-level oxidation is an ongoing concern rather than a single isolated finding. More notably, the 2024 failure documented a serious fluid leak from the offside rear shock absorber, and the prior 2023 failure recorded an empty power steering fluid reservoir, both of which point to hydraulic seal degradation across separate vehicle systems. While the trend into 2025 is one of test passage rather than failure, the corrosion narrative and the history of fluid loss events demand careful physical inspection. With 78,555 miles recorded across approximately 19 years of vehicle life, this Mazda has accumulated only around 4,134 miles annually, which is substantially below the typical mileage for a car of this age. The MOT history itself shows no significant testing gaps, with annual tests consistently recorded from 2023 through 2025, indicating the vehicle has remained in active use and on the road rather than being laid up for extended periods. This low annual accumulation means components such as the clutch, drivetrain, and interior wear items have experienced less mechanical stress than higher-mileage equivalents. However, low-mileage vehicles can present their own risks, as seals, gaiters, and flexible components can deteriorate through age and infrequent use rather than mechanical wear, and this appears consistent with the recorded shock absorber fluid leak and the earlier empty power steering reservoir finding. A prospective buyer should examine the rear suspension area closely during a physical inspection, paying particular attention to the offside rear shock absorber for any residual seepage of hydraulic fluid, staining on the damper body, or corrosion around the mounting points, as the 2024 failure recorded a serious leak which would have required replacement to achieve the subsequent pass. The rear suspension components noted as corroded in the 2025 advisory should be inspected for play in the bushes and linkages, with the test drive conducted over uneven road surfaces to listen for clonking noises or to feel for imprecise damping over repeated undulations. The steering system warrants equal scrutiny following the 2023 empty reservoir finding; the buyer should check the current fluid level, inspect the reservoir and hoses for signs of historic leakage or staining, and feel for any groaning, stiffness, or inconsistent power assistance particularly when turning from lock at low speed, which could indicate pump wear or air ingress into the system from a prior leak event. Finally, the structural and underbody corrosion advisories merit a thorough underside examination, ideally conducted on a ramp, focusing on subframe mounting points, brake and fuel pipe runs, and any boxed sections where surface corrosion can transition into structural compromise. The nearside rear tyre cracking flagged in both 2024 tests should prompt a check of sidewall condition and age-related perishing on all four tyres, as the 2025 offside rear under-inflation advisory also suggests monitoring of tyre pressures and possible valve or rim seal issues. Given the empty power steering reservoir and the shock absorber leak both occurred within a relatively short window, the buyer should also verify the history of repairs by examining service documentation, and confirm that fluid was correctly replenished and any leak source rectified rather than simply topped up to achieve a subsequent test pass.