2018 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel · LB67 XJC

A clean and stable MOT record defines the mechanical story of this 2018 Mazda 6, with five successive passes from 2022 through 2026 and no recorded failures or advisories across the most recent four tests. The only flagged items in the entire history are a pair of front tyre advisories noted on the 2021 test, relating to nearside and offside front tyres worn close to the legal limit and showing edge wear. Since that point, every annual inspection has returned a clean result with no defects recorded, including the most recent pass on 16 January 2026. The overall trajectory is one of consistent roadworthiness at test, with no recurrence of the early tyre wear concern, although it is worth noting that MOT records reflect only the condition observed by the tester at a single point in time and do not confirm ongoing mechanical integrity between tests. Annual mileage for this vehicle averages around 7,178 miles per year, which is broadly typical for an eight-year-old car of this class and points to steady, ordinary usage rather than prolonged standing or particularly hard running. There are no significant gaps between annual tests or sudden jumps in recorded mileage that would suggest inconsistent use or clock irregularities, and the testing history is continuous from 2021 onwards. This kind of moderate, consistent accumulation tends to be kinder to components like coil springs, suspension bushes, brake discs and the clutch than either very low annual mileage with long idle periods, or excessively high mileage with constant wear. There is nothing in the mileage profile that raises a specific mechanical concern beyond the ordinary expectations for a car of this age and distance. Given the clean advisory record of recent years, a prospective buyer should still approach the test drive with attention to the components most commonly associated with wear on a Mazda 6 of this age and mileage. The 2021 advisories point to front tyre wear, so inspect the current front tyres for uneven shoulder wear, feathering on the inner or outer edges, or uneven tread across the width, as any of these can indicate worn suspension bushes, top mounts or alignment issues rather than simple tyre ageing. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to any knocking through the steering wheel when turning on full lock, which can suggest worn front strut top mounts or anti-roll bar bushes, both known areas on this model. The braking system has not been flagged in any test, but at this mileage it warrants a physical check. With the engine running, feel for a firm pedal without excessive travel, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front discs that would indicate worn pads or lipped discs, and watch for any pulling to one side under braking that could point to a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. The steering should feel precise and self-centring without vibration through the wheel at speed. Under the bonnet, look for any signs of oil seepage from the engine or transmission, as the Mazda 6 Skyactiv engines can develop minor oil misting from the cam cover and turbo oil feed on higher-mileage examples. Finally, check the exhaust system for any blue smoke under hard acceleration, which would suggest oil consumption, and inspect the underbody and wheel arches for any surface corrosion, as the MOT has not flagged structural concerns but coastal or winter road salt exposure can initiate corrosion between annual tests.