2015 Mazda 3 2.2L Diesel · YS64 WKA

The Mazda 3’s MOT history presents a mixed but ultimately stable roadworthiness profile, with only one failure in the past two years—an isolated incident rather than a recurring issue. The most recent test in November 2025 at 102,265 miles passed without defects, suggesting the vehicle was rectified promptly after the October 2024 failure. That failure itself was not a serious mechanical concern but rather a combination of minor consumables (wiper blade and windscreen wiper effectiveness) and two critical tyre bulges on the front inner tyres, indicating a structural separation risk. The suspension ball joint dust cover was also compromised, though this was flagged as an advisory rather than a fail—an oversight that, if left unaddressed, could lead to premature wear on the ball joint itself. Beyond that, the August 2023 and January 2023 tests passed cleanly, with only a minor advisory for a sidewall lump on the nearside front tyre in January 2023, which appears to have been resolved by the next test. The mileage accumulation of roughly 9,300 miles per year aligns closely with the vehicle’s age, suggesting consistent but not excessive use. The gap between the January 2023 test (81,059 miles) and the August 2023 test (84,052 miles) indicates a roughly seven-month interval, which is standard for MOT frequency. More notable is the rapid mileage increase between the August 2023 test (84,052 miles) and the October 2024 failure (95,191 miles)—just 11,139 miles over 14 months, or around 8,000 miles annually, which is still within typical ranges. The absence of further failures or advisories beyond the October 2024 incident implies that any issues were corrected effectively, and the vehicle has since operated without major concerns. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing areas to inspect in person are the front suspension components, particularly the ball joints and associated dust covers, given the advisory in October 2024. The previous tyre bulges on both front inner tyres—though resolved by the next test—demand scrutiny of the remaining tyres for any signs of sidewall separation or uneven wear, as this could indicate alignment issues or suspension misalignment. The wiper system, while not a structural risk, should also be checked for blade condition and linkage functionality, as the failure suggests prior neglect in this area. Finally, given the vehicle’s age and the advisory on the ball joint dust cover, a thorough check of the suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake binding potential (especially rear brakes, which are prone to caliper corrosion in this model) would be prudent. The absence of corrosion-related failures or structural integrity advisories is a positive sign, but a close examination of the undercarriage and wheel arches for early rust development remains advisable.