2016 Mazda 3 2.0L Petrol · LO65 CZC

The 2016 Mazda 3 presents a largely stable mechanical trend, culminating in a clean pass on 2 February 2026 at 89,413 miles with zero defects recorded. That clean sheet followed a failure just ten days earlier on 23 January 2026 at 89,401 miles, where the tester flagged a worn nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint, both rear tyres worn to the legal limit, and an illegible rear registration plate inscription. The fact that the car passed a week and a half later indicates those specific items were addressed promptly. Tyre wear advisories recurred in the January 2024 test at 75,489 miles, when both front tyres were noted as worn close to the legal limit and worn on edge. This pattern of repeat tyre-related findings across two tests suggests the car may have spent periods on misaligned or poorly inflated rubber, or that previous owners deferred basic wheel alignment checks alongside replacements. The mileage progression is consistent and unremarkable for a ten-year-old vehicle. The recorded annual accumulation of roughly 8,941 miles sits squarely within typical UK usage. Gaps between tests show steady increments: 67,472 miles in January 2023, 75,489 in January 2024, 82,718 in January 2025, and 89,413 by February 2026. No sudden jumps or suspiciously long dormant periods appear in the record. The data set is clean and well-documented, with no missing annual tests that would raise concern about unmonitored wear. A buyer inspecting this car in person should focus on the front suspension, given the nearside lower arm ball joint failure flagged in January 2026. Check for play in both front lower ball joints and inspect the condition of the suspension bushes and coil springs for uneven wear or cracking. The recurring tyre wear advisories, particularly the edge wear noted in 2024 and 2026, point to possible alignment drift. Have the front and rear tracking and camber checked on a four-wheel alignment rig before purchase. Examine the brake discs and pads for even wear, and confirm the rear plate lamp and inscription are legible and compliant. Structurally, inspect the subframes, sills, and inner wing arches for corrosion, as Mazda 3 models of this era can develop surface and structural rust in poorly maintained examples.