2018 Mazda 2 1.5L Petrol · LG18 VCV

This Mazda 2’s recent MOT on 23 April 2026 ended with a clean pass and no recorded defects, but only after it failed the same day for an offside front tyre that had worn through to the cords. That kind of defect doesn’t happen overnight; it points to a period of neglect or not checking the car over, which is a red flag on an otherwise sensibly used vehicle. The rear tyres have been a long-running concern. In 2024 they were both cracking and perishing, with the nearside rear cut and worn close to the limit. A year later, in 2025, both rear tyres were again flagged as close to the legal minimum and the nearside cut was still present, though not deep enough to reach the cords. By the 2026 MOT there’s no mention of these rear tyres, so they may have been replaced at some point, but there’s no guarantee on paper. The mileage history is steady at roughly 6,500 miles per year, which is typical and doesn’t suggest hard use or lengthy periods standing. However, the cracking noted on the rear tyres at just six years old could indicate the car sat outside in sunlight for extended spells, or that the original rubber was ageing faster than it should. There’s no sign of underuse—the gaps between tests are consistent—so standing time is unlikely. The trend is worrying when viewed as a whole, but the latest pass suggests the immediate safety issue has been dealt with.