1998 Mazda MX-5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Mazda MX-5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Mazda MX-5 than on all cars registered in 1998.

• Suspension arm3× usual
  Mazda MX-5

  8.2% All 1998 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Sub-frame2.5× usual
  Mazda MX-5

  6.8% All 1998 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.9× usual
  Mazda MX-5

  8.6% All 1998 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.6%, against 4.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Rust in key structural areas2.1× usual
  Mazda MX-5

  5.4% All 1998 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.8% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Handbrake performance2.6× usual
  Mazda MX-5

  2.3% All 1998 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Common 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  32% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  32% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  21% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  17% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Rust and bodywork
  15% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Mazda MX-5

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 1998 Mazda MX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1998 Mazda MX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 1998 Mazda MX-5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?