2006 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · KH06 EXM

The 2006 Mazda MX-5 presents a stable and generally improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass at its most recent MOT on 13 August 2025 at 76,960 miles. That test recorded only minor advisories: slight defects in both headlamp lenses and corrosion noted on both rear suspension component mounting areas within the inner sills, though the tester judged this corrosion not excessive. The vehicle has clearly benefited from consistent attention to braking and suspension systems, with the last failure occurring over two years prior in December 2023. The mileage pattern tells an interesting story. Between the December 2023 test at 66,625 miles and the August 2024 test at 68,080 miles, the car covered just 1,455 miles in eight months. Yet by August 2025, the odometer read 76,960 miles, representing an accumulation of 8,880 miles in the following twelve months. This sharp increase suggests either a change in ownership or a shift from light use to more regular driving. The annualised average of roughly 3,848 miles over the vehicle's twenty-year life remains well below the UK typical of 8,000 to 12,000 miles per year, which is consistent with a weekend or fair-weather car that may have spent extended periods stationary. Buyers should pay close attention to the rear suspension mounting areas and inner sills, where corrosion was flagged in the most recent test. While the tester deemed it not excessive at the time, corrosion in these prescribed areas on a twenty-year-old MX-5 warrants a thorough underside inspection with a torch and probe, particularly around the rear subframe mounting points. The recurring pattern of worn front and rear brake pads across multiple tests, including a full set flagged as wearing thin in August 2024, indicates the car is driven hard enough to consume friction material at a reasonable rate. Check the condition of the offside rear brake disc, which was noted as worn and pitted in December 2023, and verify whether it has since been replaced. The insecure nearside front shock absorber attachment flagged in the December 2023 failure appears to have been rectified for the subsequent pass, but a physical check of front suspension bushings and damper top mounts remains prudent. The headlamp aim and lens condition advisories from August 2025 are minor but worth verifying in person, as deteriorated polycarbonate lenses can scatter light output and compromise night driving visibility. Given the low annual mileage and the likelihood of prolonged stationary periods, inspect tyre age regardless of remaining tread depth, check for perished rubber brake hoses and flexible fuel lines, and assess whether the exhaust system shows any fresh corrosion from cold-start short trips. The mechanical record is encouraging, but a pre-purchase inspection focused on structural integrity beneath the car will confirm whether the corrosion noted in the latest test has progressed.