2006 Mazda 6 2.3L Petrol · FH06 NNE

The most recent MOT, conducted on 10 June 2026 at 132,762 miles, returned a pass, but the overall maintenance trend is one of gradual deterioration rather than active renewal. While the car has not failed a test since September 2021, the advisory items are accumulating. The latest test flagged slight play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint and severely deteriorated front ball joint dust covers, alongside worn and pitted brake discs on all four wheels and general underbody surface rust. These are not new catastrophic failures, but they indicate a vehicle that is wearing out in a predictable, age-related pattern without significant recent mechanical investment. The mileage progression tells a story of very light recent use punctuated by a notable gap. Between the October 2022 test at 131,220 miles and the June 2024 test at 132,652 miles, the car covered just 1,432 miles in approximately 20 months. The mileage then appears to have plateaued entirely, showing 132,762 miles on 10 June 2026, just 110 miles after the June 2024 reading. This suggests the vehicle has been largely stationary or used only very sparingly for the past two years. Such prolonged standing is consistent with the 2024 tester's notes that brake disc wear was caused by the car having been stood, and it raises concerns about brake seizure, tyre flat-spotting, and stale fuel. A buyer should treat the brake system as the primary area of concern. The 2021 failure for significantly worn front brake discs was followed by advisories for worn and scored discs on all corners in both 2024 and 2026, with the 2024 tester explicitly attributing the condition to the car being stood. Binding calipers or uneven pad transfer are real possibilities after long periods of inactivity. The rear brake pipes were flagged as corroded and covered in grease or other material in both 2022 and 2024, a recurring advisory that warrants close inspection of the entire rear brake line run for pitting or fresh weeping. The suspension and structure also demand attention. The 2021 failure for excessively corroded chassis legs and sills was a serious structural concern, and while the car has passed since, the 2026 test still noted surface rust on underbody and suspension components. The front suspension ball joint dust covers are now severely deteriorated, meaning the joints themselves are likely contaminated and the slight play flagged in the offside joint will only worsen. A thorough underside inspection on a ramp is essential, focusing on the front suspension arm ball joints, the condition of the sills and chassis legs around the 2021 failure points, and whether the corroded rear brake pipes have been replaced or merely cleaned and re-greased.