2005 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · FE55 WMJ

A 21-year-old MX-5 with this DVSA trail tells a story of generally consistent roadworthiness, though it is not entirely free of mechanical concern. Across seven recorded tests since 2019, the vehicle has passed every time, including the most recent examination on 23 October 2025 which recorded no defects at all. However, the picture is less uniform than a simple pass count suggests. In October 2022, three advisories were raised simultaneously, flagging a deformed offside structural area, a binding nearside rear brake, and a binding offside rear brake. A further advisory appeared in October 2020 for corrosion on the offside outer sill, and the same date also produced a failure for both headlamps being aimed too high. None of these items reappeared in the 2021, 2024 or 2025 tests, so the present record is consistent with the previously flagged issues having been addressed, but the historical clustering of structural deformation, brake binding and sill corrosion is the kind of pattern that warrants close physical inspection rather than reassurance from recent passes alone. The recorded mileage of 59,097 against a 2005 registration equates to roughly 2,814 miles per year, which is notably low for a car of this age. The MOT history reflects that modest usage, with annual tests clustered tightly in October from 2019 through 2025, suggesting the vehicle has been kept on the road consistently rather than laid up for long periods. Low annual mileage on an MX-5 of this vintage generally means less wear on major drivetrain components, clutches and exhaust catalysts, but it also raises the prospect of extended standing time between journeys, which can encourage moisture accumulation inside the rear brake calipers, surface corrosion on brake discs, and stiffening of the exposed underbody and suspension components. The gap between the 2019 test in April and the 2020 tests in October is a minor anomaly worth noting, but the otherwise regular annual testing pattern points to a car that has been used, if sparingly, throughout its recorded life on the road. For a prospective buyer, the offside outer sill corrosion advisory from October 2020 is the single most important area to examine in person. On the MX-5 Mk2/Mk2.5 platform, the outer sills are known corrosion hotspots, and an advisory indicating active corrosion rather than merely surface rust is a meaningful signal. The sill should be tapped firmly to detect any soft or paper-thin metal, and the lower shut faces and jacking points inspected for paint bubbling or distortion. The 2022 advisory regarding a deformed offside vehicle structure also warrants a careful look at the rear arch, trailing arm mountings and the sill-to-rear-quarter junction, since structural rigidity advisories on this model are frequently linked to sill and arch corrosion migrating inwards. Any fresh underseal could be masking deterioration, so it is worth checking for evidence of recent paint or sealant application. The 2022 advisories for binding rear brake calipers are also worth probing on a test drive. When pulling away from rest, particularly in reverse, listen for any scraping or rubbing sound from the rear hubs, and feel for the car resisting rolling on level ground when released in neutral, as either symptom suggests the caliper slide pins or pistons have seized. A short stop from around 30 mph should produce a firm, even pedal without any pulling to one side, and the handbrake should hold the car on a modest incline without creeping. Finally, although the headlamp aim failure from 2020 is unlikely to recur, it is sensible to confirm that both headlamps are currently set correctly, as the adjustment screws on the MX-5 are easily knocked out of position. Combined with a thorough inspection of the sills, rear caliper operation and the structural area flagged in 2022, a test drive covering these specific points will give a much clearer picture of the car than the clean recent MOT result alone.