1992 Mazda MX-5 1.6L Petrol · K65 LMY

The most recent MOT, conducted on 21 June 2022 at 78,715 miles, passed with only a minor advisory for slight corrosion on the nearside rear outer sill. However, this test is now over four years old, meaning the vehicle has no valid MOT certificate as of today's date. The maintenance trend across the full record is mixed. A clear pattern of structural corrosion and suspension wear emerged in the 2020 and 2021 tests, but the 2022 pass with a single minor defect suggests some remedial work was carried out. The trend appears to have stabilised, though the long gap since the last test makes current condition impossible to verify from this record alone. The mileage data presents a significant anomaly. The vehicle recorded 178,042 miles in June 2021, yet by June 2022 the reading had dropped to 78,715 miles. This is a reduction of nearly 100,000 miles in a single year, which is physically impossible. The most likely explanations are a speedometer replacement, a data entry error on the V5C logbook, or a second-hand unit fitted during that period. Prior to this, the mileage climbed steadily from 170,085 in May 2019 to 178,042 in June 2021, averaging roughly 3,500 miles per year over that two-year window. The true mileage remains uncertain, which undermines confidence in the service history and wear calculations. The 2021 failure exposed serious structural concerns. Both nearside and offside rear inner seat belt anchorage areas suffered significantly reduced strength due to corroded sills, a defect that strikes at the core structural integrity of the passenger compartment. The 2022 pass indicates these were repaired, but any buyer must physically inspect the inner sills, seat belt mounting points, and floor pans with a thoroughness beyond a standard test. The nearside rear outer sill corrosion noted in 2022 may also have progressed. Recurring suspension and brake faults also demand attention. The offside rear shock absorber appeared on three consecutive tests with oil misting and limited damping, suggesting it was never replaced despite repeated advisories. The nearside front lower shock absorber bush was flagged in both 2021 tests. Brake pipe corrosion appeared in 2020, and a binding nearside front service brake caused the 2021 failure. A buyer should have the entire braking system inspected, including flexible hoses, rigid pipes, and caliper operation, along with a full suspension check covering all four dampers, bushes, and coil springs. Given the vehicle's age and the corrosion history, a professional underbody inspection is essential before any purchase.