MAZDA MX-52003 · 1.8L Petrol

The 2003 Mazda MX-5 currently holds a failed MOT status from the 22 January 2025 test at 116,864 miles, with no defects formally recorded against that failure. Prior to this, the maintenance trend appeared stable, showing passes in February 2024 at 109,562 miles and February 2023 at 104,559 miles. The sudden failure with no listed defects suggests an administrative or unlogged issue rather than a clear mechanical decline, but the buyer must treat the latest result as a live roadworthiness blocker until investigated. Mileage sits at 116,864 against a 23-year lifespan, averaging roughly 5,081 miles per year. The record shows light, consistent annual use: 99,714 miles in February 2022, 104,559 in February 2023, 109,561 at the failed February 2024 pre-test, then 109,562 on the pass days later, and 116,864 by January 2025. A gap of eleven months between the last two tests added only 7,302 miles. The data is sparse and clean, with no advisories logged across any entry, which limits insight into wear but implies no flagged neglect. The two February 2024 failures at 109,561 and 109,562 miles with zero recorded defects point to possible documentation errors or presentation faults outside the standard defect schema. The January 2025 failure repeats that pattern. A buyer should physically inspect structural integrity for corrosion on sills and subframes, given the age and low standing-mileage profile that often hides rust. Check suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake discs for age-related degradation not captured in the bare MOT log. Given the absent advisories, verify the exhaust emissions and tyre condition in person, as these consumables wear silently on low-mileage classics. Confirm the reason for the 2025 failure with DVSA before purchase, since the record alone offers no mechanical fault to assess.