2014 Mazda 2 1.3L Petrol · AY14 YOO

The 2014 Mazda 2 presents a broadly stable mechanical picture, though the most recent MOT on 23 March 2026 at 27,245 miles reveals a cluster of new advisories that warrant attention. The vehicle passed, but the tester flagged worn front brake discs, perishing on three of the four tyres, a nearside front tyre worn to the legal limit, and perished rear suspension arm bushes on both sides. Comparing this to the clean pass recorded on 26 February 2025 at 25,761 miles, the trend has shifted from fault-free to a noticeable accumulation of wear items over the final 1,484 miles. This does not indicate a sudden mechanical failure, but it does suggest the car has either been driven more intensively in the last year or that age-related rubber deterioration is now becoming visible across multiple systems simultaneously. The mileage profile is unusually low for a twelve-year-old vehicle. At 27,245 miles, the annual average sits at roughly 2,270 miles. The record shows steady but sparse use: 21,121 miles in March 2022, 23,356 in March 2023, 24,573 in March 2024, and 25,761 in February 2025, before reaching 27,245 in March 2026. The gaps between tests are consistent at approximately annual intervals, and the increments between them range from around 1,200 to 1,400 miles per year. There are no alarming jumps or suspiciously large accumulations. The concern with such low annual mileage is not drivetrain wear but rather the effects of long stationary periods on rubber components, tyres, and brake surfaces, which aligns precisely with the perishing and corrosion-type defects now appearing. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front brake discs and the condition of all four tyres, including sidewalls and date codes. The advisories on the March 2026 test describe wear and perishing that may have progressed further by June 2026, nearly three months later. The nearside front tyre was already at the legal limit at the time of test and must be replaced before any further road use. The offside front tyre and both rear tyres showed cracking or perishing, which on a low-mileage car of this age typically indicates age degradation rather than wear, meaning all tyres may need replacement regardless of remaining tread depth. The front suspension arm rear bushes were flagged on both sides. A buyer should have the front end raised to check for play in the rear bushes of the lower suspension arms, as perished bushes can cause vague steering and uneven tyre wear if left unaddressed. The brake disc advisory is described as worn but not excessively, which at the time of test meant they were within tolerance but approaching a threshold. A buyer should verify current disc thickness and look for lipping or scoring, particularly if the car has covered additional miles since March. The overall record implies a vehicle that has been lightly used and likely well-maintained through its middle years, given three consecutive clean passes between 2022 and 2024. The shift to multiple advisories in 2026 is consistent with a car reaching an age where rubber and corrosion-related items need renewal, rather than evidence of neglect. Still, the concentration of new defects in a single test cycle means a pre-purchase inspection should pay close attention to the front suspension, braking system, and tyre age.