2016 Mazda 6 2.2L Diesel · ST65 MLJ

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 12 November 2025, but only after a failure involving critical brake pipe corrosion. The overall maintenance trend is currently worsening. While the vehicle maintained a clean record between 2021 and 2023, the 2024 and 2025 tests show a significant increase in both advisories and major defects. This pattern suggests a transition from a well-maintained state to one of deferred maintenance, where wear and tear are accumulating faster than they are being addressed. With 79,259 recorded miles over approximately ten years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 7,926 miles per year. This usage is considered typical for its age and suggests a balanced duty cycle. While the car has avoided the extreme wear associated with very high mileage, it has reached a chronological age where rubber components, suspension bushings, and braking consumables naturally degrade. The current mileage coincides with the expected replacement interval for several key chassis components, which is evident in the recent failure history. The most pressing concern for a prospective buyer is the systemic corrosion of the brake pipes. Although the major failures were rectified for the 2025 pass, the remaining advisory for the nearside front brake pipe indicates that rust is widespread across the braking system. A thorough physical inspection of all brake lines is essential to identify further bubbling or surface corrosion. Furthermore, the recurring advisories for worn, pitted, and scored brake discs suggest that the braking system is nearing the end of its service life. During a test drive, the buyer should feel for brake shudder through the pedal and listen for rhythmic grinding, which would indicate the need for immediate disc and pad replacement. The suspension and tyres also require close scrutiny. Front suspension arm bushes have been flagged as worn on both the nearside and offside in successive years. This typically manifests as a clunking sound during low-speed manoeuvres or a vague feeling in the steering under braking. The buyer should also verify the remaining tread on the nearside front tyre, which was previously noted as being close to the legal limit. Finally, given the previous failure of a rear coil spring, ensure the vehicle sits level and that there are no unusual noises or instability from the rear axle when traversing uneven road surfaces.