2015 Mazda CX-5 2.2L Diesel · SA12 MEN

Two registration-plate conformity defects on the same inspection date in December 2025 define the most recent mechanical record of this Mazda CX-5. On 12 December 2025 the vehicle was issued a failure notice for both the front and rear number plates not conforming to specified requirements, before being recorded as passing the test on the same day once the plates were rectified. That single day aside, the underlying roadworthiness pattern is largely stable. The December 2024, November 2023, and November 2022 tests were all clean passes with no advisories recorded at all, indicating no chronic or accumulating fault trend across the back end of the history. The only flagged items in the file are the two advisories carried over into both the failed and passed entries on 12 December 2025, namely offside front brake pads wearing thin and a nearside rear service brake binding slightly but not excessively. These are wear-related notes rather than structural or corrosion concerns, and the binding was not severe enough to register as a defect. Against an age of approximately eleven years, the recorded odometer reading of 74,106 miles equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 6,737 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this vintage and consistent with regular mixed-use driving. There are no gaps in the testing record suggestive of long periods off the road, no sudden mileage spikes between tests that might indicate clocked or mis-recorded readings, and no evidence of a low-mileage lay-up scenario where component degradation from standing would be a particular concern. Mechanically, this level of usage means consumable wear on brake friction material, tyres, and suspension bushes is to be expected, while major drivetrain components such as the engine, automatic transmission or driveline have not been subjected to unusually high mileage loadings. The advisories logged are consistent with a car driven a moderate distance per year rather than neglected or overworked. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to examine on inspection are the brake system components referenced in the December 2025 advisories. On the offside front, the brake pads were reported as wearing thin, so the remaining pad material should be measured and the disc surface checked for lipping, scoring, or corrosion pitting, particularly given the front axle does the majority of braking effort on this vehicle. For the nearside rear brake binding slightly, it is worth inspecting the caliper slide pins for seized movement, checking the handbrake mechanism for correct release, and confirming the disc or drum runs freely when the brake is released. On a test drive, listen for any rotational drag, a pulling sensation to one side under light braking, or a hot smell from one wheel after a sustained stop. Binding rear brakes can also manifest as a slight pull under firm braking or uneven pad wear across the rear axle. Beyond the brake-specific advisories, the clean pass history across 2022, 2023, and 2024 suggests no recurring suspension, steering, exhaust, or corrosion advisories have been flagged. Nevertheless, given the vehicle is now over a decade old, a pre-purchase inspection should still pay close attention to the common Mazda CX-5 age-related areas not previously recorded as defects. Check the rear trailing arm bushes for cracking or splitting, the front lower suspension arms and anti-roll bar drop links for play or knocking over uneven surfaces, and the underside generally for any emerging corrosion on subframe mounting points or brake line unions. The tyres should be examined for even wear across both axles, which would confirm tracking and suspension geometry are within tolerance. There is nothing in the MOT file to suggest structural or systemic problems, but the binding rear brake note in particular warrants a thorough functional check before purchase.