1997 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · R151 CGH

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 15 January 2026 at 110 755 miles, but the tester flagged an offside front brake pipe corroded and covered in grease (1.1.11 (c)). The history shows a clear improvement in recent years: after a failure in October 2023 that highlighted worn suspension arm ball joint, a loose steering wheel rim and thin brake pads, the car returned to a clean bill of health in January 2025. The new brake‑pipe corrosion therefore represents a fresh concern rather than a continuation of an unresolved trend, indicating the maintenance pattern is generally improving but a specific component now requires attention. Mileage accumulation over the car’s life averages roughly 3 819 miles per year, a low figure for a 29‑year‑old vehicle. MOT records are spaced annually for most of the period, though a longer gap exists between the October 2023 test (101 174 miles) and the January 2025 test (107 606 miles), covering about 15 months. The mileage rise during that interval—approximately 5 000 miles per year—slows markedly after January 2025, with only 3 149 miles added in the following 12 months. This deceleration suggests lighter usage or periods of storage, which typically reduces wear on consumables but does not eliminate the need for structural inspection. A prospective buyer should focus on the recurring mechanical issues evident in the record. Brake‑related wear appears repeatedly: thin front and rear pads in 2023, a corroded brake pipe in 2026, and earlier fluctuations in service brake performance. Suspension components show a history of failure: an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint in 2023, a broken rear coil spring in 2014 and corroded offside rear lower wishbone in 2008. Steering health is also a concern, with a loose rim noted in 2023 and a power‑steering hose leak recorded in 2014. Structural rust is present on both rear sills (2015) and throughout the chassis (2015). Tyre condition has been a persistent advisory, including near‑legal‑limit rear tyre wear in 2010 and uneven inner‑edge wear on the offside front tyre in 2008. A thorough inspection should therefore verify brake pad thickness, pipe condition and caliper operation, examine suspension ball joints, wishbones and coil springs, check steering rim tightness and power‑steering fluid for leaks, assess sill corrosion and overall chassis integrity, and confirm tyre tread depth and wear patterns. Overall, the Mazda MX‑5 remains roadworthy but carries a specific defect in the brake piping and a legacy of suspension and steering issues that merit close physical examination. The low mileage and recent clean MOT suggest the car has been stored or lightly used, yet the identified corrosion and past component failures indicate that a pre‑purchase inspection is essential to confirm that no hidden deterioration has developed since the last test.