1997 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · R586 EKN

The 1997 Mazda MX-5 presents a stable and reassuring maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 11 June 2025 at 125,183 miles with zero defects recorded. The preceding test on 2 June 2025 also returned no defects despite being a failure, suggesting the failure reason was administrative or a minor oversight rather than a mechanical fault. Looking back through the full record, every single test from March 2022 through June 2025 passed with no advisories or defects whatsoever. This is an exceptionally clean MOT history for a 29-year-old sports car and indicates consistent, attentive upkeep by recent keepers. The mileage pattern tells a clear story of light but regular use. The car covered roughly 1,500 miles between the May 2024 test at 123,683 miles and the June 2025 tests at 125,182 to 125,183 miles. Before that, annual increments were similarly modest: around 4,483 miles between March 2022 and March 2023, and 4,483 miles again between March 2023 and May 2024. The annual average of approximately 4,317 miles is well below typical usage, pointing to careful, low-stress driving rather than long periods of neglect or standing. No sudden mileage spikes or suspicious gaps appear in the record. Despite the clean paperwork, a buyer should still inspect the underside carefully for corrosion, particularly around sills, subframes, and suspension mounting points, as these are common failure points on older MX-5s even with low mileage. Check the condition of suspension bushes, coil springs, and dampers for age-related deterioration, and examine brake discs, calipers, and flexible hoses for any signs of binding or perishing. The nearside and offside tyre tread depths and sidewall condition deserve attention, as does the exhaust system for corrosion or emissions compliance. A test drive should verify smooth gearchange, clutch operation, and steering alignment, ensuring no play or uneven wear has developed between tests.