2016 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel · OU66 UDO

The defining mechanical story of this Mazda 6 is a brake pad wear pattern that has twice reached dangerous levels, alongside a recurring theme of front tyre edge wear. On 2026-05-14 the vehicle recorded a clean pass with no advisories, which represents a short-term improvement over the previous test, but the broader record is less reassuring. In May 2023 the nearside and offside front brake pads were both measured at less than 1.5 mm and flagged as dangerous, resulting in a fail, and in July 2022 the nearside and offside rear inner pads were similarly below 1.5 mm and recorded as dangerous. Two dangerous brake failures across three years demonstrate that pad wear is being permitted to progress well past serviceable thickness before intervention, which is a meaningful risk factor for any prospective buyer. The most recent clean pass in 2026 may simply reflect a post-test replacement cycle rather than a sustained improvement in maintenance discipline. At 163,577 miles over roughly a decade, this car is averaging close to 16,000 miles per year, which is well above typical private-use mileage and places it firmly in the high-wear category. Testing cadence has been annual throughout the recorded period with no multi-year gaps, and there is no evidence of long stationary periods that might give rise to separate concerns such as brake seizure or battery deterioration. Sustained high annual mileage on a 2016 Mazda 6 means that suspension components, engine and gearbox mounts, clutch (if manual), and drivetrain bearings have all accumulated substantially more stress than a low-mileage equivalent. The repeated front tyre edge wear advisories from 2022 and 2023 are also consistent with a vehicle that has covered significant distance, as inner-edge wear often points to worn suspension bushes or alignment drift rather than purely age-related deterioration. A test drive should therefore be focused on the specific component groups the MOT history flags. Listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly from the lower control arm bushes and anti-roll bar drop links, as worn bushes will exaggerate inner tyre wear. Pay close attention to brake feel: any sponginess, excessive pedal travel, or pulling to one side under firm braking should be investigated, as the documented pad-to-disc wear history means the calipers, sliders, and discs themselves warrant direct visual inspection for lipping, binding, or uneven surface corrosion. Check for judder through the steering wheel under braking, which on a high-mileage Mazda 6 can indicate warped front discs, and inspect the rear inner pad area carefully, since both rear inner pads were worn to less than 1.5 mm at the last dangerous failure. The 2025 advisory concerning an insecure rear silencer heat shield and uneven rear tyre wear at the inner edges is also worth addressing directly. With the vehicle raised or on a ramp, examine the rear exhaust hangers and the heat shield fixings for any movement or rattling, and inspect the rear tyres for feathering or chamfering on the inner shoulder, which would suggest rear suspension geometry issues or toe misalignment. The 2024 failure for severely reduced nearside headlamp dip beam intensity should prompt a check of both headlamp lenses for UV hazing, as Mazda 6 polycarbonate units of this age commonly oxidise, and confirm that the lens reflectors and bulb connections are clean and seated correctly. Given the cumulative brake, tyre, and suspension wear signals across four years of testing, an independent mechanical inspection prior to purchase is strongly advisable.