2012 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · RO12 BVN

The vehicle remains roadworthy, as evidenced by its most recent pass in April 2026 at 52,069 miles. While the car consistently passes its inspections, the maintenance trend shows a developing issue with tyre condition specifically reaching the legal limit on the nearside front tyre. This continues a pattern of uneven wear noted in the 2024 and 2025 tests, where the offside rear tyre was flagged for being close to the limit at 2.5mm and 2mm respectively. The mileage profile is notably low for a fourteen-year-old vehicle, averaging only approximately 3,700 miles per year. There is a significant gap of nearly 9,000 miles between March 2022 and April 2023, suggesting the car may have sat stationary for extended periods. Since 2023, the usage has become more consistent, averaging roughly 2,000 miles per year. This low annual mileage reduces mechanical wear on the drivetrain and engine but often increases the risk of rubber component degrading and brake corrosion due to lack of regular use. A buyer must inspect the front suspension alignment, as the recurring outer-edge wear on the tyres indicates incorrect camber or worn wisharm bushes. Given the age of the Mazda and the low mileage, a thorough physical check of the structural integrity around the sills and rear wheel arches is essential, as these are common failure points regardless of miles driven. You should also examine the brake discs for pitting or seized calipers, which frequently occur on vehicles that are driven sparingly over long periods.