2009 Mazda MX-5 2.0L Petrol · CL03 TOY

A consistent run of pass certificates with only isolated advisories defines this MX-5's MOT profile, and the latest test on 11 July 2026 came back entirely clear with no defects recorded. Across the seven documented tests from 2020 through 2026, only two years produced advisories: 2019, which flagged a suspected rear differential oil seep along with rear inner brake pad wear and rear brake disc pitting, and 2023, which noted slight play in both rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joints. There have been no failures, no refusals, and no repeat advisories on the same components year on year, which presents a relatively clean and stable roadworthiness picture on the official record. Recorded mileage stands at 57,950 miles across approximately seventeen years, giving an annual accumulation of around 3,400 miles, which is low for the vehicle's class and age. The MOT record shows an unbroken annual testing cadence from 2019 through 2026 with no gaps, suggesting the car has remained in regular use rather than laid up for extended periods. Low annual mileage of this nature generally places less mechanical demand on the engine, gearbox, and drivetrain internals, but it can mean longer intervals between thermal cycles for consumables such as brake discs and callipers, which on a light two-seater like this are particularly susceptible to surface corrosion and binding if the car is used predominantly for short journeys. For a prospective buyer, the specific areas to interrogate are those previously flagged. The 2019 advisories on the rear inner brake pads and pitted rear brake discs suggest the rear braking components have been on a gradual wear cycle, so on inspection the rear discs should be checked for lip formation, scoring, and any tendency for the callipers to seize, and a firm pedal with no rear bind under light braking should be confirmed. With the 2023 advisory noting slight play in both rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, these drop links should be physically inspected for perished or cracked bushes and any free movement at the ball joint studs, as worn anti-roll bar links can produce clonking over uneven road surfaces and a slightly looser feel through quick direction changes in this chassis. The 2019 advisory referencing a suspected slight oil leak at the rear differential warrants attention given the MX-5's live rear axle configuration. Under the car on a dry day, look for fresh oil staining around the rear differential pinion seal and the differential housing joints, and on a test drive listen for any whining or rumbling from the rear axle that could indicate worn bearings or low oil level. Even though no advisories or failures have been raised on the rear axle in the subsequent seven tests, a small leak left unaddressed over a low-mileage car can slowly drain the differential oil and lead to bearing damage, making a manual check of the oil level and a close visual inspection of the differential gaskets worthwhile before purchase.