2001 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · AF51 YTL

The 2001 Mazda MX-5 presents as roadworthy with a stable maintenance trend, confirmed by the most recent test on 3 September 2025 at 71,387 miles where the tester recorded no defects. Every annual examination from 2021 through 2025 returned a pass with no advisories, showing the vehicle has avoided the recurring suspension, brake, or corrosion issues common on quarter-century-old Japanese roadsters. The recorded mileage reflects light use for a 25-year-old car. The odometer read 58,345 miles at the 9 September 2021 test and climbed to 71,387 miles by September 2025, a total of 13,042 miles over four years or roughly 3,260 miles per annum. The clean record shows no gaps or sudden accumulation; the previous keeper clearly stored and sparingly drove the car, which limits wear on drivetrain and consumables but raises the risk of perished rubber and standing-water corrosion unseen by MOT testers. A buyer should still inspect the structural sills, floor pan, and subframe for rust, since the MX-5's monocoque suffers hidden rot even when annual tests pass. Check suspension bushes and coil springs for age-related cracking from low-use storage. Verify brake discs and calipers for binding after long idle periods, and confirm tyre sidewalls are not crazed despite adequate tread. The history implies careful ownership, yet physical inspection remains essential on a car of this age.