2011 MAZDA 21.3L Petrol

The vehicle shows a consistent history of progressive corrosion and mechanical wear, despite its relatively low mileage. In the most recent test in January 2026 at 70,813 miles, the tester identified corrosion on the front lower sub-frame and rear axle frame. While the structural integrity was not yet deemed compromised, the presence of corroded brake pipes covered in grease across multiple years suggests an ongoing issue with rust that remains unaddressed. The steering system also shows a recurring trend, with play detected in the steering box and universal joints being flagged consistently back to at least 2021. At 15 years old, the car has covered 70,813 miles, averaging only about 4,700 miles per year. This low usage often leads to age-related degradation of rubber components rather than mechanical wear from distance. The record confirms this with multiple reports of perishing tyres and worn ball joints. The failures in 2021, 2022, and 2023 highlight a pattern of replacing components like arm ball joints and pitted front brake discs, indicating that maintenance is often performed in response to MOT failures rather than on a preventative schedule. A buyer should be wary of the accelerating corrosion noted on the sub-frames and suspension mounting points. Although these have currently been described as not seriously weakened, the frequency of these advisories across the last five years indicates the vehicle is in an environment prone to rust. The steering play in the rack and universal joints is also a persistent mechanical concern that will likely require further attention soon. Physical inspection of the underbody is essential to determine if the rust on the sub-frame has reached a point of requiring structural repair beyond what the advisories suggest.