2011 Mazda 3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Mazda 3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Mazda 3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Ball joint3.4× usual
  Mazda 3

  19.8% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame3.2× usual
  Mazda 3

  13.6% All 2011 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Anti-roll bar link joints3.2× usual
  Mazda 3

  11.7% All 2011 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Suspension arm3.9× usual
  Mazda 3

  9.7% All 2011 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Number plate lights1.6× usual
  Mazda 3

  11.9% All 2011 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2011 Mazda 3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Mazda 3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  35% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  30% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  9% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Mazda 3 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2011 Mazda 3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2011 Mazda 3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2011 Mazda 3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?