1997 MAZDA FRIENDEE2.5L Diesel

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding reactive mechanical repairs. While it passed its latest test in July 2024 at 163,978 miles, this followed a significant failure just two weeks prior at 163,860 miles. That failure revealed a major exhaust leak, a missing steering rack gaiter, and multiple brake binding issues, indicating that critical faults were only addressed when forced by the MOT test rather than through routine preventative maintenance. At 163,978 miles, this 29-year-old Mazda has covered low mileage for its age, averaging approximately 5,600 miles per year. The data shows consistent usage patterns with roughly 9,200 miles covered between 2021 and 2024. However, low mileage often correlates with the degradation of rubber components, which is evidenced by the perishing sidewalls noted in the June 2021 test. A buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the front braking system and steering assembly. The recurring reports of the offside front brake binding and lagging in 2024 suggest a sticking caliper or seized slider pins that requires professional attention. Furthermore, the missing steering rack gaiter identified in July 2024 allows grit and moisture to enter the internal steering mechanism, leading to premature wear of the expensive rack. The exhaust system should be checked for structural corrosion to ensure the major leak reported last year was fully rectified and not merely patched.