2012 Mazda 5 1.6L Diesel · OY62 OUB

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history indicates a trend of reactive rather than proactive care. In the most recent test in November 2025 at 99,648 miles, the car initially failed due to low brake fluid levels and inoperative position lamps. While these were rectified to secure a pass, the tester also flagged a worn offside front suspension arm bush and a non-excessive oil leak. This suggests the owner only addresses faults when they threaten an MOT certificate rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 99,648 miles over 14 years, the Mazda 5 has averaged approximately 7,100 miles per year. This profile is consistent with typical domestic usage. The mileage accumulation shows steady progression, with roughly 5,800 miles covered between the November 2024 and November 2025 tests. This consistent usage suggests the vehicle is not subjected to extreme stress, but the age of the car means natural degradation of rubber components and seals, which is evident in the recorded faults. A buyer must conduct a close inspection of the front suspension, as this is a recurring area of failure. The offside front suspension arm bush was noted as worn in 2024 and persisted into 2025, while previous tests also flagged play in anti-roll bar linkage joints and a front wheel bearing. These components should be checked for excessive play which could affect handling stability. The light oil misting on the nearside rear shock absorber recorded in 2024 should also be monitored to ensure it has not progressed into a significant leak. The oil leak noted in the 2025 test requires a physical inspection to determine if it is a minor valve cover seep or a more significant seal failure. Given the failure for low brake fluid in the same test, the buyer should also verify the integrity of the hydraulic system for any leaks at the calipers or master cylinder. The history of uneven tyre wear in 2022 and 2023 indicates that alignment issues have been neglected previously, so the current tread pattern should be examined for irregular wear.