2012 Mazda 2 1.5L Petrol · PX62 PMV

The vehicle presents a worsening maintenance trend characterized by recurring mechanical failures in the suspension and lighting systems. While it passed its most recent test in July 2025 at 86,386 miles, this followed a significant failure that revealed critical safety issues. The tester flagged both fractured rear coil springs and a worn front ball joint, alongside persistent steering column knocking. The persistence of play in the steering geometry and suspension arms suggests that components are only being addressed after they cause a failure rather than through preventative maintenance. The mileage profile is consistent with a low-use vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 6,170 miles per year. There is a long period of clean records between 2015 and 2019 where the car showed no defects. However, the frequency of advisories increased significantly after the vehicle surpassed 50,000 miles in 2020. The jump of nearly 11,000 miles between the July 2025 tests shows that the age-related degradation of rubber and metal components is now accelerating despite the relatively low annual mileage. A buyer must prioritise inspecting the structural integrity of the rear beam, as corrosion has been a noted advisory since at least 2023 and remains unresolved. The history also shows a pattern of impact damage, including a buckled nearside front wheel and a distorted road wheel, which may have caused hidden alignment issues or previous impacts. The recurring steering column knocking and repeated failures of the suspension ball joints indicate that the front end requires a thorough professional inspection. Furthermore, the poor headlamp patterns have been flagged in three consecutive years, suggesting the alignment or the leveling mechanisms have not been properly corrected.