2015 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel · EX15 VPR

A pattern of recurring front suspension wear and persistent brake-related concerns defines the mechanical history of this 2015 Mazda 6, despite the vehicle passing its most recent MOT on 17 November 2025 with no defects recorded. Across the eight tests documented since 2019, the front suspension has surfaced repeatedly: the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was flagged for slight play in both 2024 and 2023, and the nearside front track rod end ball joint was noted with slight play in 2024. The braking system has likewise generated multiple advisories and a notable failure, including thin front brake pads in 2023, a scored offside rear brake disc and worn rear pads in late 2022, and a parking brake efficiency issue that fell below requirements on the 17 November 2022 test, with the parking brake also recorded as inoperative on the offside. Minor registration plate lamp defects have also appeared intermittently on nearside and offside rear lamps across the 2022 and 2023 tests, and a deteriorated front registration plate was noted in 2024. With 187,299 miles recorded over roughly eleven years, this Mazda 6 has averaged approximately 17,000 miles per year, which is substantially above typical annual usage for a vehicle of its age. Such high mileage places elevated demand on consumable and wear-sensitive components, particularly those that have already drawn attention in the MOT record: anti-roll bar linkages, track rod ends, brake pads, brake discs, and the parking brake mechanism. The testing history shows consistent annual MOTs from 2019 through 2025, indicating the vehicle has been in regular active use with no extended periods off the road, and mileage accumulation appears steady rather than discontinuous. For a high-mileage car, the repeated appearance of suspension and brake advisories is consistent with components reaching the end of their functional service life rather than indicating isolated incidents. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension components flagged on this vehicle warrant close physical inspection. The nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has been noted with slight play in two consecutive tests, so a knock or rattle from the front end when traversing speed bumps, potholes, or uneven surfaces should be listened for carefully. The nearside front track rod end, similarly flagged in 2024, can manifest as vague steering response, slight wandering at speed, or uneven front tyre wear, and a thorough check of the inner and outer edges of the front tyres for feathering or premature wear on one side is advisable. During a test drive, pay particular attention to any slack or clunking felt through the steering wheel during low-speed direction changes, as this can indicate advancing wear beyond what the MOT advisory describes. The braking system requires equally targeted attention given the documented history. The 2022 failure for parking brake efficiency below requirements and an inoperative offside parking brake suggests the rear caliper mechanism, cable, or adjuster on that side may still be marginal, and a hill-start test with the handbrake engaged should be performed to confirm the vehicle holds securely on an incline without excessive cable travel. The scored offside rear brake disc and thin pads noted in 2022, combined with the 2023 advisory on front brake pad wear, mean a thorough check of remaining pad material and disc condition — including lipping on the disc edges and any pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application — is warranted. Rear brake judder, pulling to one side under braking, or a parking brake that requires several clicks to engage would all warrant further investigation before purchase, given the documented pattern of rear braking deficiencies on this particular vehicle.