MX-5 OC Forum

Can't say I noticed this when I first bought the car which is quite surprising if it was there, can anyone shed any light on how this hole is in the back of my car? Three things come to mind, one is it should be there, another is that there was a panel fitted there which has been easily popped out because of lack of care and attention, thirdly someone has purposefully put it there for whatever reason. It seems very linear to be a complete accident.

 Aint got a clue but whoever painted the dog on the bumper was a cracking artist!

Well it looks like it was cut out deliberately...but not very well...

What kind of aftermarket nonsense would you want to fit there though? Reversing camera?

Towbar?

 Rear skirt will cover that, but you'll need the front to match

Has to have been a light or camera

Or your dog has taken a bite at it, and has been crafty in covering it up.

Perhaps previous owner was a James Bond type, and thats where the marbles or oil slick were fired from.

Do you have any mysterious buttons on the dash, marked 'Ejector Seat' or 'Flamethrower' perhaps? - always a giveaway for an ex-spy car.  However, yours may have been treated really well and may not even have the usual spray of bulletholes along the wings.

 I once spotted an imported model that had a fog light there, maybe yours wasnt a uk car orginally and has susequently had the correct rear lights installed?

Personally I prefer the Bond option and maybe the machine guns were fitted there!

The hole does look as though it has been cut.

Have you tried looking on the other side for signs of wiring or brackets etc.

You may even find the flamethrower

Haven't had a chance to get underneath and have a look but it seems the general consensus both here and on another forum I use is that it's probably been a parking sensor fitted and removed somewhere along the line. Checked MX-5 parts and it seems it'll cost over £100 to replace it and then x amount to have it fitted. I'd fit it myself but if you ever have the pleasure of seeing some of my other DIY stuff in the house you'd probably advise against it. Think I'll have to leave it as is for a while though as I'm planning on getting the Eibach lowering springs and next year I'm off on a big fat European road trip which will eat right into my cash and then some.

Not sure what's been there - could have had a bike rack or something fitted at one time. I don't think it was anything electrical as there's no hole there for a wire to pass thro'. Whatever, that shouldn't be too difficult to repair. If it were me I'd be finding a piece of plastic from somewhere, of a similar thickness. Then neatening up the hole up with a stanley knife and letting in new piece cut to size, bit of filler over any gap left and a quick splurt of paint over the top - got to look better than that.  Alternatively - if as you say you're off on a Euro trip, pop a GB sticker over it. 

P.S - whereabouts are you?

I'll probably just leave it to be honest, I've not mentioned it to anyone I know and they've not pointed it out to me so I'm fine with it for now. Obviously I'd prefer it not to be there but for now I've not much option anyway.

I'm in the North East (Hartlepool)

Ah! bit far for me to come and fix it for you then!