1998 Mazda MX-5 1.6L Petrol · S370 JCW

Running this 1.6L petrol MX-5 should be relatively affordable in terms of day-to-day use, with typical fuel economy and insurance groups for a car of this era. However, maintenance costs for this specific vehicle may be higher than average due to the age and high mileage.

You should budget for more frequent mechanical attention. The history of brake binding, suspension component wear, and exhaust issues suggests that 'preventative' maintenance might actually be 'reactive' maintenance on this car. Expect higher-than-average costs for structural upkeep and potential engine management repairs.

Start with the underside. Given the June 2025 failure for 'excessive corrosion significantly reducing structural strength' on the sills and chassis, you must check for any signs of recent welding or surface-level repairs that might hide deeper rot. Check the seat belt anchorages as well, as these have been flagged for corrosion in multiple previous MOT tests.

Next, inspect the braking and suspension systems. The most recent MOT history shows a history of binding brakes (both nearside and offside rear) and issues with wheel bearings and ball joint dust covers. Finally, check the exhaust system and engine idling; the car has repeatedly failed on carbon monoxide and Lambda levels, which could indicate an expensive fix for the catalytic converter or fuel system.