2003 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · AF03 UVS

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a trend of structural degradation and mechanical neglect. While the most recent test in September 2021 at 102,085 miles passed with a minor exhaust leak, the preceding history reveals significant failures regarding safety-critical components. The maintenance trend is not stable, as the car struggled with multiple serious structural issues and braking system failures in late 2020, suggesting that the owner has been reactive to MOT failures rather than performing preventative care. At 23 years old, the recorded mileage of 102,085 miles represents an average of approximately 4,400 miles per year. This low annual usage often correlates with long periods of standing, which accelerates corrosion in older vehicles like this MX-5. Between October 2020 and September 2021, the vehicle covered only 1,870 miles, further indicating it may have sat for extended periods, which likely contributed to the parking brake issues and exhaustrelated leaks noted in the records. A buyer must prioritise a rigorous physical inspection of the chassis and lower bodywork. The August 2020 failure specifically identified corrosion on the integral chassis rails, wheel arches, and the seat belt anchorage area. Although the tester noted structural rigidity was not significantly reduced at that time, the presence of rust on the sills is a high risk for this model. The buyer should also inspect the brake pipes for corrosion, as these were flagged as corroded and covered in grease during the 2020 test. The suspension and braking systems require close scrutiny. The record shows recurring issues with parking brake efficiency and inoperative components between 2020 and 2021, indicating a worn mechanism or poor adjustment. Additionally, the anti-roll bar linkage ball joints were flagged for play in 2020. Given the age and low mileage, all rubber bushes and suspension components should be checked for cracking and perish, which often affects vehicles that are infrequently.