2011 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel · DU11 HCC

The 2011 Mazda 6 holds a valid MOT following a pass on 8 April 2026 at 160,018 miles, but the maintenance trend is mixed rather than reassuring. The vehicle failed the previous day on 7 April 2026 at 159,997 miles with a fractured offside rear anti-roll bar linkage, a missing rear reflector, a parking brake below minimum efficiency, and excessive lever travel indicating maladjustment. These were rectified within 24 hours, yet the pattern of last-minute failures and rapid retests suggests reactive rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent pass is only two months old as of today, 18 June 2026, so the certificate is current, but the underlying care record raises questions about how consistently the car has been maintained between annual tests. The mileage progression is broadly typical for a 15-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 10,668 miles per year. The record shows 141,307 miles in April 2024, 152,969 miles in April 2025, and 160,018 miles by April 2026, indicating a steady increase of approximately 9,000 to 11,000 miles annually with no alarming spikes or suspicious gaps. The data points are sparse, limited to one test per year, so short-term fluctuations or long periods of inactivity cannot be ruled out. The annual cadence itself is unremarkable, but the lack of intermediate service records means wear-and-tear between MOTs remains largely unverified. A buyer should pay close attention to the rear suspension and sub-frame area. The tester flagged the rear sub-frame as corroded in both the April 2026 fail and pass entries, noting surface corrosion that was not seriously weakened at the time of the most recent inspection. Combined with the fractured offside rear anti-roll bar linkage found just days earlier, this points to a rear end that has been neglected and may be approaching a point where corrosion becomes structural rather than cosmetic. The outer sills were difficult to inspect due to covers in both 2026 tests, so a physical underseal and sill check is essential before purchase. The braking system also warrants direct inspection. The parking brake failed on efficiency and was flagged for excessive lever movement in the April 2026 failure, which typically indicates stretched cables, maladjusted shoes, or a mechanism that has not been routinely serviced. Front tyre wear to the legal limit appeared in both the 2024 and 2025 tests, suggesting possible alignment issues or simply deferred replacements. Headlamp aim and a broken rear levelling device were noted in 2025, which may have been fixed but should be verified. Overall, the car presents as one that has met minimum legal standards rather than being maintained to a preventative standard, and a thorough underbody and brake inspection is strongly advised.