1992 Mazda MX-5 1.6L Petrol · K770 EJH

A clear pattern of chronic suspension deterioration defines the mechanical picture of this 34 year old Mazda MX-5, with the most recent test on 31 March 2026 recording a pass alongside advisories for an oil leak, all four tyres showing damage and perishing, a headlamp lens product contamination, and corroded underside suspension components. This pass followed directly from a failure just eight days earlier on 23 March 2026, where both rear coil springs were recorded as fractured, a serious defect which alone would have rendered the vehicle unroadworthy. Stepping back through the record, a second failure on 17 March 2025 was driven by deteriorated ball joint dust covers on both front lower and nearside upper suspension arms, advisories noting worn upper arm pins or bushes on both sides. The vehicle then passed on 25 March 2025 with advisories again flagging the persistent oil leak and very rusty rear suspension components, and the previous test on 28 March 2024 recorded corroded front coil springs alongside worn upper arm pins or bushes and a severely deteriorated offside front lower ball joint dust cover. The recurring thread across consecutive years is unmistakable: front suspension bushes and ball joint dust covers degrading, coil spring corrosion progressing, and rear coil springs ultimately fracturing, all set against a persistent minor oil leak. Against an age of 34 years, the recorded mileage of 176,120 miles equates to roughly 5,180 miles annually, a notably low accumulation rate that suggests extended periods of standing rather than regular use. The MOT history itself shows annual testing from 2024 through 2026 with no recorded lay-up gaps, yet the very low average mileage implies that the vehicle has spent considerable time unused at some point prior to 2024, which is consistent with the widespread corrosion affecting springs, suspension arms, and underside components visible in the advisories. Low mileage on an elderly chassis does not equate to preserved mechanical condition here, as the rust pattern on coil springs, ball joints, and general underside components indicates oxidation driven by intermittent use, damp storage, or age-related surface degradation rather than active wear from high mileages. The persistent non-excessive oil leak noted across every test from 2024 onwards further points to long-standing seal degradation typical of a low-usage engine that has not been exercised regularly enough to keep seals supple. For a prospective buyer, the rear coil spring failure on the 2026 test is the most pressing concern, as fractured springs on an MX-5 compromise ride height, handling, and tyre wear, and replacement should be confirmed with proof that both offside and nearside rear springs were renewed together with any associated mounting hardware. The front suspension also warrants close attention, as advisories for upper arm pin or bush wear appeared in 2024 and 2025, and lower ball joint dust cover deterioration progressed from a minor advisory in 2024 to major failure items in 2025; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces, feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering, and check for uneven inside-edge tyre wear which would indicate the worn bushes are now permitting excessive movement. The recorded corrosion on front coil springs should also prompt a physical inspection of all four springs, as corroded coils can snap without warning, and any surface rust beyond light oxidation warrants replacement. The oil leak, while classed as not excessive across multiple tests, should be monitored closely as MX-5 engines of this era commonly weep from the crankshaft rear main seal and cam cover gaskets, and a buyer should inspect the underside after a run for fresh drips, check the oil level on the dipstick, and smell for burning oil when the engine is hot. The advisory for tyre damage and perishing on all four wheels indicates the rubber is ageing regardless of tread depth, and cracking in the sidewalls or between tread blocks on an MX-5 that sees low annual mileage is a typical age-related failure rather than a wear issue. Finally, the headlamp lens contamination noted in the 2026 tests is cosmetic rather than structural, but buyers should verify that beam pattern and light output remain adequate for night driving, and inspect the underside generally for any corrosion beyond the components already flagged, paying particular attention to the rear subframe mounting points and brake line condition given the very rusty rear suspension components recorded in 2025.