2013 Mazda 3 1.6L Petrol · OU63 WLR

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness status with a clear trend of improvement through reactive maintenance. The most recent test conducted on 27 May 2026 at 90,123 miles passed with no defects recorded, indicating that the mechanical issues identified in previous years have been addressed. While the history shows intermittent failures related to wear and tear, the current clean test record suggests the owner is actively responding to MOT advisories and failures as necessary. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 13-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,000 miles per year. Between May 2024 and May 2026, the car covered 7,227 miles, showing steady and predictable usage rates. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that suggest long periods of stagnation, which often leads to seized components or corrosion. The low annual mileage protects the drivetrain, though the age of the vehicle still poses risks associated with the degradation of rubber-based components. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension during an in-person inspection. The tester flagged both front lower ball joints as excessively worn in both April 2022 at 75,487 miles and May 2024 at 83,817 miles. While these were likely replaced, the recurring nature of this fault suggests a potential issue with uneven wear or poor alignment over time. The rear anti-roll bar linkages, which showed play in 2020, should also be checked for renewed movement or audible knocking. Tyre management also shows a history of neglecting basic consumables, with multiple failures for thin tread and sidew damage across 2017, 2018, and 2024. This indicates that previous owners often waited for a component failure or an MOT test date rather than performing preventative replacements. Given the age of the Mazda, a thorough check of the chassis for corrosion, particularly around the sills and wheel arches, is essential, as these are common structural weaknesses for this model that are not always captured in minor MOT advisories.