2017 Mazda MX-5 1.5L Petrol · BC66 USU

The 2017 Mazda MX-5 presents a stable but gradually deteriorating roadworthiness trend heading into its most recent MOT. The January 2026 pass at 51,451 miles was clean on all major mechanical and structural items, yet it carried two fresh advisories that mark a departure from the completely defect-free test recorded in January 2023 at 33,154 miles. All four tyres were flagged for cracking or perishing, and both nearside and offside rear suspension arm pins or bushes were noted as worn, though not yet causing excessive movement. These are not immediate failures, but they signal that the car is entering a phase where age-related rubber deterioration is becoming visible across multiple systems simultaneously. The mileage profile tells a clear story of very light use. At roughly 5,717 miles per year over nine years, this is well below the UK annual average. The progression from 33,154 miles in January 2023 to 51,451 miles in January 2026 shows an acceleration in use, with 18,297 miles covered in that three-year window compared to the 33,154 miles accumulated in the preceding six years. That suggests the car may have sat for extended periods before 2023, which is consistent with the perishing tyre advisories. Rubber components, including tyres, bushes, and seals, degrade with age and UV exposure as much as with mileage, and prolonged standing can accelerate sidewall cracking and bush deterioration. The rear suspension is the area to watch most closely. Rear lower suspension arm bush wear appeared as early as January 2024 at 39,868 miles on the offside, then returned in January 2025 at 47,437 miles on both sides, and persisted into the January 2026 test at 51,451 miles. This is a recurring and slowly worsening pattern rather than a one-off. A prospective buyer should have the rear suspension inspected on a ramp, checking for play in the trailing arm and lateral link bushes, and should examine the subframe mounting points for any corrosion, which is a known concern on MX-5s that have spent time stationary or exposed to road salt. The tyre advisories across the 2024, 2025, and 2026 tests reinforce the age-related wear picture. Three consecutive years of cracking advisories on multiple tyres suggest the set currently fitted may be original or at least very old, and a buyer should budget for a full replacement regardless of remaining tread depth. Beyond that, the record is largely reassuring. The January 2023 headlamp aim failure was a minor, one-off adjustment issue with no recurrence. There are no brake, exhaust, or structural corrosion defects on file. The car appears to have been maintained adequately, but the combination of low-mileage storage and now-increasing use means a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on rubber components and suspension geometry is the sensible next step.