2004 Mazda MX-5 1.6L Petrol · BN04 AOZ

Severe structural corrosion is the primary mechanical risk for this vehicle, as evidenced by its failure on 28 October 2026 due to excessive corrosion on both the offside rear and nearside cab or chassis areas. This failure represents a significant escalation from previous years where advisories noted heavy surface corrosion to the underside, suspension, and inner sills. The progression from surface-level corrosion in 2024 and 2025 to major structural defects in 2026 indicates a worsening trend in the integrity of the chassis and sills. The vehicle has covered 113,599 miles over approximately 22 years, averaging roughly 5,164 miles per year. This is a low annual mileage for a vehicle of this age, which can sometimes correlate with longer periods of stationary use. Mechanically, while lower mileage often suggests less wear on drivetrain components, the MOT history shows that the low usage has not prevented significant environmental degradation, specifically regarding the oxidation of the integral body structure and suspension components. A prospective buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the chassis and sills, as the recent failure specifically identified structural weakness within 30cm of the cab mountings. The history of corroded suspension arms and mounting areas suggests that the vehicle's structural rigidity may be compromised. During a test drive, pay close attention to any unusual creaking, groaning, or metallic knocking sounds when traversing uneven surfaces or bumps, as these can be symptoms of weakened mounting points or failing suspension bushings. Attention should also be directed toward the steering and tyre condition. The 2026 failure included a damaged nearside front track rod end ball joint dust cover, and previous records have consistently flagged perishing tyres. Check for any steering wander, vibration through the steering wheel, or uneven tyre wear, which could indicate issues with the track rod ends or other steering linkages. Furthermore, the recurring advisories regarding perishing tyres suggest that even with low mileage, rubber components are reaching the end of their serviceable life due to age-related degradation.