2012 Mazda 2 1.3L Petrol · KY12 FHR

The vehicle presents a stable, well-maintained mechanical profile as of its most recent MOT on 20 February 2026 at 83,704 miles. That test passed cleanly, indicating the owner rectified the nearside front suspension arm ball joint that had failed the retest just moments earlier at 83,701 miles. Two minor advisories remain active: slight play in the offside front suspension arm ball joint and fraying on the nearside rear seat belt webbing. Both are low-severity items, but the recurring nature of ball joint wear across multiple tests suggests the front suspension is entering a phase of predictable, age-related deterioration rather than sudden failure. The maintenance trend is broadly stable, with no evidence of worsening structural or safety-critical defects. At roughly 5,979 miles per year, this 2012 Mazda 2 has covered very low annual mileage. The record shows a gap of nearly 12 months between the March 2025 pass at 78,127 miles and the February 2026 test at 83,704 miles, during which the car added 5,577 miles. Prior to that, the annual increments between 2024 and 2025 were similarly modest at around 3,700 miles. The MOT history is sparse but consistent, with no glaring omissions or suspicious mileage reversals. Low-mileage vehicles of this age can suffer from deteriorated rubber components, dried seals, and corrosion from prolonged standing, so the clean mechanical record should be weighed against the possibility of age-related decay rather than wear-related fatigue. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and underside. The nearside front ball joint has already required replacement, and the offside joint carries an advisory for slight play, meaning both sides have been flagged within a single test cycle. Check for uneven tyre wear patterns that could indicate lingering alignment or tracking issues, particularly given the 2024 advisory for a worn offside front tyre and the track rod end play noted in the failed test on 12 March 2024 at 74,410 miles. Inspect the nearside rear seat belt webbing carefully; fraying compromises the belt's load-bearing capacity and the advisory has persisted across two consecutive tests. Examine the subframe, suspension mounting points, and brake lines for corrosion, as low-mileage vehicles that have sat for extended periods can develop surface rust that is not always visible in an MOT pass. The windscreen wiper blade defect from 2024 appears to have been resolved, but confirming the condition of both wiper arms and the screen for pitting is worthwhile.