2015 Mazda 2 1.5L Petrol · WN65 AWF

Chronic tyre deterioration is the dominant theme in this Mazda 2's MOT record, with defects recurring across nearly every test since 2023 and culminating in a dangerous failure on 4 April 2024 where both front inner tyres were found to have ply or cords exposed. That test required immediate remedial work before a clean pass was issued the same date. A further failure on 16 March 2026 saw both rear tyres condemned as majors for cuts deep enough to reach the ply or cords, alongside an advisory for offside front tyre wear close to the legal limit and edge wear. A pass was secured the following day, 17 March 2026, with only a loose rear exhaust shield flagged. The recurrence of perishing, cracking, and structural cuts on the rear pair specifically, combined with documented edge wear at the front, points to a sustained pattern of rubber deterioration rather than isolated damage from a single kerbing event. Recorded mileage of 81,428 across an eleven-year old vehicle equates to roughly 7,400 miles per year on average, which sits broadly within expected parameters for a small petrol hatchback of its age. The test history runs consecutively from March 2022 through to March 2026 with no extended gaps, indicating the car has remained in regular use throughout this period rather than being laid up. That consistency means wear on consumables such as tyres, brake friction material, and suspension bushes has accumulated steadily, and the absence of any recorded odometer discontinuities supports a credible mileage progression. A typical annual mileage of this nature on a Mazda 2 is unlikely to have placed excessive stress on the drivetrain, but it is sufficient to have generated the kind of bushing wear and brake disc lipping that would not yet necessarily trigger an MOT failure but warrants physical inspection. Given the persistent tyre issues, particular attention should be paid on a viewing to the age and condition of all four tyres, including any replacement set currently fitted. The repeated rear tyre perishing documented from 2023 onwards suggests the car may have spent extended periods parked outdoors exposed to UV, or that the wheel alignment is loading the shoulders unevenly. On a test drive, listen for any rhythmic thumping or vibration through the steering wheel at speed which could indicate a separated tyre belt, and check that the steering does not pull to one side under braking which might suggest uneven front tyre wear relating to the offside front edge wear advisory. Visually inspect the sidewalls for hairline cracking and check the tread depth across the full width rather than just the central grooves, as edge wear was specifically flagged. Beyond the tyres, the test drive should focus on the steering and suspension given the cumulative mileage, listening for clonks from the front macpherson strut top mounts or anti-roll bar bushes over speed humps and rough tarmac, and feeling for vagueness or knocking through the steering column. With brake fluid and brake lines unchanged in any test record, inspect the visible brake hoses and rigid pipework behind the front wheels and beneath the vehicle for surface corrosion or weeping, particularly along the underbody where road salt accumulates. The offside headlight alignment advisory from 2023 also warrants a check on a dark evening or against a garage door to confirm beam pattern and ensure no oncoming driver dazzle. Finally, verify that the shield noted loose on the rear exhaust at the most recent test has been properly re-secured, as a dragging exhaust heat shield can quickly burn through adjacent fuel or brake lines if left unattended.