1998 Mazda MX-5 1.8L Petrol · S182 AGK

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status following a pass on July 25, 2025, at 75,586 miles. The maintenance trend shows signs of improvement after a significant mechanical and structural failure in 2024. While the most recent test recorded only minor non-safety defects regarding the washer fluid and headlamp alignment, the previous history indicates a period of neglected safety-critical components that required immediate attention to bring the car back to standard. At 28 years old, this MAZDA MX-5 has covered an exceptionally low mileage, averaging approximately 2,700 miles per year. This low usage pattern is consistent with the issues noted in the June 2024 test, where the tester identified pitted and scored brake discs with judder attributed to a lack of use. However, the gap of 11,191 miles between July 2024 and July 2025 suggests the vehicle is now being driven more frequently to counteract the aforementioned stagnation-related wear. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the structural integrity, specifically regarding the recurring corrosion. The 2024 records flagged corrosion on the nearside rear outer suspension mounting and both front seat belt anchorages. Although these were not classified as excessive at the time, they are known weak points on this chassis and require close monitoring to ensure the rust does not progress into structural failure. Additionally, the front lower suspension ball joint dust covers were noted as severely deteriorated in 2024; these should be verified to ensure they were replaced and are preventing ingress into the joints.