Purchasing a Mazda MX-5

Buying a ‘5 and Insurance advice Buying Advice
1

Hi,

I am looking at purchasing a used MX-5 and I have saw one yesterday a Mar 2019 version but had steering wheel rake adjustment and was a 2.0 litre RF Sports nav+ edition. No apple car play or rear view camera but is a 184 bhp. How can I tell if this is an ND-1 or ND-2?

Thanks

2

ND2 181hp /184PS which replaced the 158hp / 161PS for the 2019 MY, best way to be sure is check the VIN number with a Mazda Dealer the 2019 MY should also have a 7500 red line instead of 6800 of the earlier model.

2 Likes
3

Thanks for the reply. 2017 models onwards seem to have the bigger engine as that is when the RF model was introduced in the UK at least. All models seem to have a tachometer with 8000 rpm and the one I saw was red dotted red from 7000-7500 with 7500-8000 having a solid line. With regards to the VIN number they sent me the digital service history record so can see the VIN number but how do I check the VIN to identify ND1 or ND2. Thanks again. This is really helpful.

4

Ask a Mazda Dealer to confirm the VIN is ND1 or ND2 :+1:

1 Like
5

If it’s a + edition (yours appears to be) then it’s an ND2 revised model.

1 Like
6

Hi.

I think Mazda introduced the reach adjustment in MX-5 models from 2018 - when they also increased the BHP of the 2.0L engine variant.

(I have a ‘16 plate ND1 and it only has rake adjustment.)

Given the above and the 2019 registration of the RF version that you’re looking at, my guess would be that it must be a ND2.

Best wishes.

1 Like
7

I did ask Mazda dealer whilst I was there but weren’t able to give me a definitive answer.

1 Like
8

You need to speak to the parts department they should be able to tell you which spec it was built to and prossibly a build date from the VIN. Factories usually retool in August so anything built after August 2018 should be an ND2. Surprised the sales staff did not know that.

3 Likes
9

I’d avoid them then, they should be able to tell you that information, independents probably don’t know.

3 Likes
10

Thanks will check tomorrow.

1 Like
11

These were Mazda themselves. They were helpful but couldn’t pinpoint that information. Most people probably wouldn’t bother asking TBH. I was willing to pay the extra money for a ND2 version vs ND1 but wanted to know for certain otherwise I would look for an older ND1

1 Like
12

All the more reason the sales staff should have spoken to their parts department, I certainly would have done back in the day when I was selling Volvo’s to seal the deal :man_shrugging:

1 Like
13

What are the last 6 digits of the VIN?

I’d hazard a guess that the terms ND1 and ND2 don’t appear in anyMazda documents for any department in the dealership. I’m not overly surprised that they couldn’t give you an answer and that’s not meant to be disrespectful to them.

2 Likes
14

406409

Thanks a lot for all the speedy replies. Very very helpful

15

With a serial number that high, it’s very much what the internet would call an ND2. Seems also, that it originally came from the Mazda dealer that I used to work at. It’s a May 2018 onwards production.

2 Likes
16

So maybe whoever it was at the dealership should brush up on what they are selling. Why do internet forums and Google know more?

Mazda introduced the ND2 version of the MX-5 Miata for the 2019 model year, which went on sale in late 2018, featuring significant engine upgrades like a higher redline and more power, along with interior and suspension refinements.

Key Details:

  • Model Years: 2019 and onwards (until the ND3 update).

  • Engine: The 2.0L Skyactiv-G engine was revised, increasing horsepower (to 181 hp) and raising the redline to 7,500 rpm.

  • Other Improvements: Included a telescoping steering column for taller drivers, a standard rearview camera, and revised suspension tuning for better ride quality.

2 Likes
17

I would imagine if the question to the sales person would have been “What model year is it?” the answer may have been different.

1 Like
18

Ticks all those boxes. But the rear view camera was an optional extra unless later models got them as standard. Hence why I was questioning it in the first place. The late 2019 had Apple car play and rear view camera which this one did not have. But it is ticking most of the boxes.

19

It’s an ‘ND2’.
Another one is you’ll have no tyre pressure reset button on the right hand lower part of the dash, by your right knee.

1 Like
20

CarPlay is a straightforward retrofit so if you like the car and it’s coming from a Mazda dealer you could negotiate it into the sale. I’ve got several cars and my MX-5 is the only one without a reversing camera. I don’t miss it at all. The reversing sensors are useful but the car is so small that I don’t think a camera would add much.

2 Likes