2006 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · BD06 OGZ

The Mazda MX-5 presents a stable roadworthiness record over the past three years, with both recent MOT tests—June 2023 at 125,619 miles and April 2022 at 122,463 miles—concluding as pass with no advisories or defects logged. This clean history suggests the vehicle has been maintained to meet minimum legal standards, though the absence of advisories does not preclude underlying wear that might not yet be critical. The most recent test in mid-2023, just over three years ago, indicates the car has not been retested since, which is unusual given its age and mileage. While no failures were recorded, the lack of a more recent MOT—especially with the vehicle now approaching four years since its last test—raises questions about whether the car has been driven regularly or if ownership has changed without immediate retesting. The mileage accumulation of roughly 6,281 miles per year aligns with typical usage for a 20-year-old car, though the gap between tests (around 3,156 miles in just over a year between April 2022 and June 2023) suggests either infrequent driving or a delay in scheduling the MOT. The absence of advisories or defects in both tests implies no major mechanical issues were present at those points, but it also means there’s no evidence of proactive maintenance beyond what was legally required. For a buyer, this could indicate either meticulous care or simply that problems have yet to manifest—or, conversely, that the car has been driven lightly enough to avoid wear triggers. Given the clean but sparse MOT history, a buyer should prioritise an in-person inspection of high-wear components, particularly the suspension bushes, coil springs, and brake system. Binding calipers or uneven brake disc wear are common in this model and may not yet have been flagged. Structural integrity should also be checked for corrosion, especially around the sills, wheel arches, and exhaust mounts, as these areas are prone to deterioration in older MX-5s. The tyres, though not mentioned in the MOT, should be closely examined for uneven wear or cracking, as the last recorded tread depth was not provided. Finally, the exhaust emissions system—while not noted in the MOT—could benefit from a visual check for leaks or rust, given the car’s age. Without a more recent test, the buyer cannot assume the vehicle remains in the same condition as when it last passed.