2013 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel · LT63 ACO

A long-term history of clean MOT passes was interrupted in early 2026 by a failure involving dangerous tyre wear, a faulty bonnet latch, and excessive play in a track rod end. While the vehicle achieved a pass on 13 January 2026, the recent appearance of multiple major and dangerous defects suggests a shift in the vehicle's mechanical trend compared to the defect-free tests recorded between 2020 and 2025. The recorded mileage of 142,292 miles represents a typical annual accumulation of approximately 10,946 miles for a vehicle of this age. This level of usage typically results in expected wear on high-stress components, specifically within the drivetrain and suspension systems, which is reflected in the historical advisories regarding drive shaft joints and steering linkages. Particular attention should be paid to the offside front drivetrain and steering assembly. Although the track rod end was addressed for the January 2026 test, a previous advisory from May 2024 noted a worn offside front outer drive shaft joint. During a test drive, listen for clicking or popping sounds during tight, low-speed manoeuvres or sharp turns, which would indicate the drive shaft joint has deteriorated further. Verify the security of the bonnet latch to ensure the repair following the January 2026 failure is robust and the catch engages firmly. Additionally, the front registration plate remains an advisory due to deterioration and will likely require replacement to avoid future failure. Check for any steering pull or instability at speed, which can sometimes persist if related suspension bushes or alignment were not fully corrected alongside the track rod end replacement.