2016 Mazda MX-5 1.5L Petrol · MT16 FHW

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 10 November 2025 at 35,376 miles with zero defects recorded. That result is significant because it follows a test on 11 November 2024 at 33,237 miles where the tester flagged both front brake pads wearing thin and a nearside front service brake binding. The absence of any brake-related defects in the most recent test suggests those issues were addressed, indicating a responsive owner who acted on the advisories rather than ignoring them. The mileage profile tells a clear story of very light use. Across roughly ten years the car has covered just 35,376 miles, averaging approximately 3,538 miles per year. The annual increments are consistent, with the car adding 1,483 miles between November 2021 and November 2022, 2,850 miles between November 2022 and November 2023, 2,795 miles between November 2023 and November 2024, and 2,139 miles between November 2024 and November 2025. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden spikes in accumulation, and the MOT record shows no missed annual tests, which supports the view of regular, if minimal, use rather than long periods of dormancy. Despite the low mileage, the 2022 test at 27,592 miles flagged both rear tyres worn close to the legal limit and worn on their edges, along with all four tyres showing cracking or perishing. Failing on tyre condition at such modest mileage suggests the car may have stood for extended periods, allowing UV and ozone degradation to compromise the rubber compound. A prospective buyer should carefully inspect all four tyres, including the sidewalls, for age-related cracking regardless of remaining tread depth, and verify whether the tyres have been replaced since 2022. The binding nearside front brake noted in November 2024 warrants a focused inspection of the front braking system. A buyer should check the nearside front caliper slide pins for free movement, examine the brake disc for scoring or uneven wear, and assess the condition of the flexible brake hose, which can act as a one-way valve and cause residual pressure to hold the pad against the disc. The front brake pads were also flagged as wearing thin at that test, so pad thickness and disc condition should be verified to confirm the repairs were carried out properly. Given the car's low annual mileage, moisture ingress and surface corrosion on brake components during periods of inactivity is a realistic concern that a road test and visual inspection can confirm or rule out.