2002 Mazda 323 1.6L Petrol · OV52 ALU

The vehicle currently lacks a valid MOT certificate, with the most recent test on 13 March 2024 resulting in a failure. The maintenance trend is significantly worsening, shifting from minor consumable issues to critical structural failures. While previous years saw the car pass with advisories, the 2024 inspection identified severe corrosion in the rear suspension component mountings, specifically affecting the outer sills and inner wheel arches on both sides. This indicates a loss of structural integrity that renders the vehicle unroadworthy until extensive professional welding and repair work is completed. The recorded mileage of 86,849 over 24 years averages approximately 3,600 miles annually, which is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage. The usage pattern shows a consistent increase in annual mileage, rising from 73,936 miles in February 2022 to 86,849 miles by March 2024. This suggests the car has transitioned from a period of light use or storage into more frequent operation. The lack of test data between 2022 and 2023, followed by a failure in 2023, implies that maintenance intervals have been neglected, leading to the rapid accumulation of wear-related items such as thin brake pads and illegal tyre tread depths. Prospective buyers must prioritise a thorough inspection of the underside, as the structural corrosion noted in the 2024 failure is a primary concern for this model. Verify that any previous repairs to the sills and wheel arches were performed to a professional standard, as poor-quality patches often mask underlying rot. Beyond the structural integrity, check the parking brake efficiency and the condition of the front braking system, as these components have repeatedly required attention in recent tests. Given the age of the vehicle and the severity of the latest failure, expect to invest heavily in chassis restoration and mechanical refurbishment to return this car to a safe operating condition.