Decided to make an account as I’m going to view a 2005 UK Spec NB 1.8 VVT 5 speed potentially this weekend. I have my list of things to look and check (thanks to reading on this forum and YouTube) in person but a few things from the listing made me want to double check with the community as the seller is asking for a premium I’d say (£5.2K), apparently it’s rust free (sold by MX-5 City a year or so ago for £4.8K I think - link to listing) & as these are getting on 20 years old now, I know I can’t expect perfection!
Car has a few mods: new Tein Flex Z coilovers, Ultralite F1 wheels, new Nankang NS2 tyres. Additionally a ‘RS’ style front lip, Racing beat back box and a leather Momo Race steering wheel (original included).
MOT on the car has never had any mentions of corrosion or rust, only ever had the consumables mentioned, a FSH and been undersealed.
Interested to hear peoples thoughts and if the asking is ‘fair’, given some of the mods that I’d probably looked to have done anyway (exhaust), but from my past few months of looking (Goodwood Sports Cars, MX-5 Restorer, MX5OC classifieds), 5K does seem to be in the real of what decent shape ones tend to be asking.
Thank you everyone & I’m hoping soon I can properly join the community!
(news users can only post 1 image so the only image is the one the seller sent me directly, here is the link to the listing)
Engine bay looks like have some corrosion/ rust where the bonnet support sits (bottom right of the first image), is that anything to be concerned about?
Second image shows the bootlid starting to have some rust come through, this area isn’t commonly mentioned in many videos, could this be due to a hard top not being secured correctly, is this a major concern?
The aftermarket steering wheel doesn’t have an airbag, and shouldn’t have passed MOT.
Be very, very, very wary of underseal. Underseal over rusty metal looks the same as underseal over good metal. The factory underseal traps water and there can be swathes of rust underneath.
I wouldn’t pay that money for one unless I could get it up on a ramp and check (poke / tap) underneath, knowing what I know now. Take someone used to the cars if you can. They rust from the inside out, and what looks like a little scab on the outside will be major damage inside.
Check chassis legs near where the front ARB mounts are. They look OK until they disintegrate.
Also check in front of the rear wheels at the inner sills and box section.
This looked OK with underseal on:
Boot lids rust for fun - starts around the number plate lamps and the seam where the skin laps over the frame.
I struggle to believe there are any “rust free” ones - maybe just in a less advanced state of decay!
MOT History…I tried searching the reg, been changed, check that first. You really need to get under the car and check everything. Sills, chassis rails, arches, drainage holes…and drive it.
Does it have service history, the colour of the brake fluid in reservoir looks old.
Personally rust in the engine bay is a bit of a flag.
V2 Icon has the variable valve timing to give the engine a good test. Paintwork should be amazing as it is Black Mica.
Certainly looks a nice car in the MX-5 city ad, not a fan of the mods though but could forgive the suspension work. I think those original wheels are some of the nicest looking ones around.
Cant see why they would lie stating its rust free but as said you have to be 100% sure if your paying a premium for it.
Im always sceptical of short ownership especially when money has been spent on it, new baby forces sale seems to be a common one.
