2008 Mazda 5 2.0L Diesel · VO58 RNA

The MOT record for this 18-year-old Mazda 5 reveals a pattern of recurring advisories and intermittent failures that have accumulated over the testing years, particularly involving the suspension and braking systems. The most recent test on 20 September 2017 was a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded, which represents a positive outcome on that specific occasion, though it follows a 2015 pass that already flagged worn rear brake discs on both sides, thinning rear brake pads, and under-trays obscuring components. Earlier failures in 2014 for a malfunctioning wiper and incorrect headlamp aim, along with a 2016 failure for excessive play in an offside front lower suspension ball joint, demonstrate that component wear has been an ongoing concern rather than a one-off event. The 2014 advisories noting light oil misting on both rear shock absorbers, combined with a tester-entered comment about reduced damping effect, indicate that the rear suspension damping was already compromised seven years ago at relatively modest mileage, raising questions about what condition those components may be in now. With recorded mileage of 159,346 miles spread across 18 years, the vehicle has averaged approximately 8,853 miles annually, which sits roughly in the middle of typical usage for a car of this age. The MOT history spans from 2013 to 2017, meaning the earlier portion of the vehicle's life is not captured in these records, but the consistency of annual testing during this period suggests the car was in regular use throughout. Given the high overall mileage, wear on consumable items such as brake discs, pads, shock absorbers, ball joints, and bushings is to be expected, and the recorded defects align broadly with what one would anticipate on a higher-mileage MPV of this vintage. The fact that several advisories clustered in 2014 and 2015 but were not carried forward as failures in 2017 suggests that some remedial work may have taken place, though the suspension ball joint failure in 2016 shows that deterioration continued. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension, as the 2016 failure for excessive play in the offside front lower ball joint indicates this is a known weak point on this model. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed bumps or uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering, particularly under braking. Inspect both front ball joints by rocking each front wheel at the top and bottom with the car raised, checking for play that would warrant replacement. The rear brake discs and pads were flagged as worn and pitted in 2015, and given the mileage accrued since, a thorough inspection of brake disc thickness, pad material depth, and caliper slide pin operation is essential; listen for any grinding or squealing under light braking and check for a pulsating brake pedal that would indicate disc runout. The rear shock absorbers showed signs of oil misting and reduced damping effectiveness as early as 2014, and on a vehicle now carrying 159,346 miles, replacement since that date is highly likely but should be confirmed. During a road test, evaluate rear suspension performance by pressing down firmly on each rear corner and observing whether the body settles quickly and smoothly without bouncing excessively, and listen for any clonking over rough roads that would indicate worn shock bushes or top mounts. Given the engine bay covers and under-trays flagged repeatedly as obscuring components, a buyer should insist that these be removed during any pre-purchase inspection so that the engine, subframe, and structural areas can be properly examined for corrosion or fluid leaks. Finally, check all seat belts including the third-row units, which were not tested in 2015 due to access issues, and verify operation of all position lamps and headlamp alignment, as these have historically been flagged on this vehicle.