MX-5 OC Forum

Hi,

I'm looking for an Mk2/2.5 1.6 and I'm due to see a Private Y Reg (early 2.5) with spotless service history and 55k miles on the clock on Sunday - up for £2.2k.

There's also a local garage that has an 02 1.6 with only 36k miles that they'd do for £2.75k... but there's no service history (that the garage can find). Looks spotless though.

What would you wise folk do?

Thanks!

 Ask for an mot certificate number and check the MOT history online here, this should give you a rough idea of wether the mileage could be correct.

Secondly contact a local mazda dealership and ask then to check their online system to see what history there is on there. If its had any warranty work or dealer servicing it will show up on there.

If you dont get anything showing up on the mazda system, walk away IMHO.

Harco,

Thanks for the quick reply.

The garage has done a VOSA check and the milage fits... If it's rust free, drives well and looks in good condition I might still be tempted. But this would be my first MX-5 so I'm keen to hear what others think.

I can give an example of one of the scenarios you describe.

I bought my mx5 in January with no service history from a dealer.  A 2003 2.5 with 24k on the clock.  I took some care buying it.  I wanted to use a dealer as even though I may pay a little more they generally come with warranty (even if only 3 months) and you have somewhere to return the car to if you have issues.

I took a friend with me to the dealers and he spent gave the car a thorough check (he dissapeared under the car one point, I just saw his legs poking out!).  I then took the car for a drive and checked the common faults.  There were no signs of rust and the car looked fine.  One sensor needed replacing before I picked the car up which the garage paid for.

I had an MOT history from the dealer and performed a HPI check, all looked good.  The car was MOT'd as I bought it and given a basic service (oil etc).

The additional thing I did do is buy the extended warranty so it lasts a full year (it came with 3 months).  This has allowed me to drive the car in confidence and also when I checked my car in for it's summer(ish) service this month I was able to ask the Garage to give the car a check and let me know if anything covered on the warranty needed doing.  I'll ask for the same on it's MOT the month before the year is up.

To date my car has been wonderful, now up to 28k on the clock and still running like a dream.

I took a gamble and so far it's been good for me but I took my aggressive (bad cop) friend with me to buy the car and I have used all the tools I have to give myself peice of mind.  Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy the drive

Thanks! That sounds very similar - I'll post how I get on tomorrow  

Saw the car this morning... pretty scruffy really - no front grill, worn breaks, only one mat and a few marks on the dash (more than I'd expect).

So this probably isn't the one, but I'm off to test drive a 1.8 tomorrow :-) Fingers crossed!!