1997 Mazda MX-5 1.6L Petrol · R132 DHO

The 2026‑07‑13 MOT passed the vehicle, yet the tester flagged corroded front and rear suspension as an advisory, indicating that the car remains roadworthy but shows signs of structural wear. The recurring suspension corrosion, repeated tyre failures, and persistent brake disc pitting suggest a maintenance pattern that has not improved since the 2026‑07‑09 failure, where the same suspension defects were recorded alongside a non‑functional rear fog lamp and registration plate irregularities. The most recent test did not resolve these issues, leaving the vehicle with ongoing structural and mechanical advisories. With a recorded mileage of 5,513 at 29 years old, the vehicle averages roughly 190 miles per year, a figure that points to light usage or extended periods of inactivity. Mileage increments between successive tests are modest, rising only 11 miles from the 2026‑07‑09 failure to the 2026‑07‑13 pass, and the largest jump of 36 miles occurred between 2019 and 2020, indicating no rapid accumulation of wear. A buyer should therefore inspect the condition of the suspension bushes and coil springs for active corrosion, test the rear brakes for binding calipers, examine tyre tread depth and sidewall integrity for separation, verify the state of the brake discs for pitting or scoring, and look for structural rust on the chassis and anti‑roll bars; the history also warrants a check of the braking balance and any advisories related to the front and rear anti‑roll bars and suspension arms.