2018 Mazda CX-5 2.0L Petrol · SM67 LGA

A persistent pattern of brake pipe corrosion and a dangerous anti-roll bar failure in January 2024 define this CX-5's MOT record, with the most recent test on 16 January 2026 passing but continuing to flag corroded front brake pipes on both nearside and offside fronts for the second consecutive year. The overall trend shows a vehicle that has largely passed its annual tests but carries a recurring advisory burden centred on braking system degradation and suspension component wear. The January 2024 failure stands as the most serious entry, recording a dangerous defect on the offside rear anti-roll bar ball joint deemed likely to become detached, alongside slight play noted on the nearside rear equivalent. While the vehicle subsequently passed later that same day, the combination of this failure with the ongoing brake pipe corrosion advisories indicates a mechanical profile that warrants careful pre-purchase scrutiny rather than confident assumption of sound condition. Recorded mileage of 70,607 miles across approximately eight years equates to roughly 8,826 miles per year, which sits within the expected range for a vehicle of this age and class. The MOT history shows consistent annual testing from 2021 through to 2026 with no gaps, and the mileage accumulation appears steady rather than erratic, suggesting regular active use rather than prolonged periods stationary. This usage profile means the vehicle's consumables, suspension, and braking components have accumulated wear through typical daily driving rather than suffering from inactivity-related deterioration, and the recurring advisories on brake pipes and pads align with the kind of progressive wear expected at this mileage bracket rather than indicating any unusual or anomalous usage pattern. The front brake pipe corrosion is the most persistent issue in the record, appearing in both the 2025 and 2026 tests on both sides, and a prospective buyer should physically inspect these lines where visible behind the front wheels and along the subframe area for surface scaling, flaking, or greasy residue coating that may be masking deeper degradation. On a test drive, pay attention to brake pedal feel for any sponginess or extended travel, and listen for any metallic groaning or clicking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which could indicate worn anti-roll bar ball joints, given the 2024 failure on the rear anti-roll bar links and the play recorded on the opposite side. The rear anti-roll bar components were flagged in January 2024 and do not reappear in subsequent advisories, but verifying their current condition remains prudent, particularly by listening for clunks or rattles from the rear axle when driving over speed cushions or broken road surfaces. The recurring tyre edge wear advisories, appearing on the offside front in 2021 and 2025 and the nearside front in 2023, suggest a possible alignment or geometry concern that may be causing uneven shoulder wear across the front axle, and a buyer should inspect the current front tyres closely for any disparity between inner, centre, and outer tread depth. The 2022 advisories noting scored and pitted brake discs on both front and rear axles, combined with thin rear pads at that time, indicate that the braking system has required attention at multiple points, and the January 2026 advisory for thin front pads suggests the current front friction material is approaching the end of its service life. A prospective buyer should budget for front brake pad replacement in the near term, request evidence of any brake pipe remedial work, and consider having a four-wheel alignment check performed to address the recurring edge wear pattern before it shortens the life of any replacement tyres.