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• Running a Mk3 MX-5 needn’t be expensive
• Fixing one can get pricey, however
• You’ll be tempted by upgrades as well

Running costs and maintenance

As a used buy, the Mazda MX-5 Mk3 (NC) is probably one of the better cars you can go for in terms of overall low costs. Unless you’re a high-risk category for insurance, they’re not expensive to get cover for, and most service parts and spares are cheap and easy to get.

Fuel economy hovers around 30mpg, as it’s not geared for motorway driving and frankly, too much fun to try making progress without using power. 1.8s have to work harder, and may be marginally less economical. Officially the cars were rated at 38-40mph and around 184g/km when new.

Tax varies depending on model and year – check the rates for your potential purchase with the Parkers car tax checker.

Mazda MX-5 Mk3 servicing

Routine servicing is inexpensive. The suspension components are unstressed on cars which haven’t been used on track, and the engines switched to a timing chain which doesn’t require routine changing (though it should still be replaced if wear is evident).

Routine servicing costs around £200 for a full package from specialists such as Northants MX-5.

Secondhand parts are plentiful and even complete roof assemblies in good order can be found for less than £150 at the time of writing.

Mazda MX-5 Mk3 rust and corrosion problems

There’s one fly in the ointment for the MX-5. It’s not unique to the Mk3, but if you think that companies might learn from past mistakes it seems Mazda only learned how to make the MX-5 more disposable with the new generation. It rusts, and it rusts in hidden places so by the time you can see a few rust blobs on the wheel arches, there’s probably a lot more going on underneath.

Below are some examples from eBay and Facebook ads; if you can see that by zooming in, what are you going to find when you view the car?

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Mazda offered a 12 year anti-perforation warranty on the MX-5 but it will only apply if the car has had annual body inspections as part of main dealer servicing (and if the dealer has marked that job on the history). There are plenty of MX-5s for sale where this warranty could still apply and rust is showing.

Where to check an MX-5 NC for rust

Look at the MoT history of the car online for advisories. If you just want a cheap MX-5 for a year or a couple of summers, then this should give you enough of an idea of areas to focus on.

In all cases, get a torch, camera and hands and check the rear arch inside lip, feeling for a smooth, even finish with strong metal that becomes a sharper cleanly-finished edge behind the plastic sill covers. Feel behind the fabric wheel arch liner in this area for any crumbling metal or weakness in the panel.

Look along the sill at the gap between the seam and the plastic cover, and feel both sides of the seam. When looking at cars in adverts, a hint of bubbling on the forward edge the arch is a good indication that worse rust lies behind the panel.

A visual examination under the front wheel arches is all you can do, but check under the bonnet around the suspension mountings, and look carefully at the metal below the windscreen. If you’re in any doubt, removing the scuttle panel takes a matter of minutes and gives excellent access.

At the rear of the car, start by check the boot. It can be damp for reasons other than leaks, they’re prone to condensation, but if the carpet is soaking wet that implies failed brake light or tail light seals; there are also two holes under the chrome ‘deck’ trim that the seal dries out on, dropping water directly into the space behind the boot trim. These can be removed with a Torx driver and resealed.

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Have a look underneath at the back. The subframe can get very rusty, which makes maintenance and repairs harder even if it passes an MoT. Also check behind the bumper where the crash bar mounts (above); you can usually pop a smartphone camera in the space – this hidden panel can rust severely without being seen. There’s often thin paint (and even no paint) here, another reason to be proactive with wax or similar treatments.

Repair costs for rust and prevention

You can expect rusty sills to cost around £500-750 per side to rectify, depending on the standard of work you want. Stripping and replacing underseal costs around £500, but can reveal more work needed.

If your car isn’t rusty you can limit the risk by ensuring the car’s dry and well protected. Clean the drain holes – a trombone brush is recommended but MX-5 Parts sell one for less than you can find in a music shop – and check all the seals and gaskets on the lights and trim. For example, a common entry point for water is the windscreen cowl trim, and the felt seals (plus new covers) are less than a £10 and 15 minutes work to replace – again, from MX-5 Parts.

Lanoguard, Waxoyl and similar products can be applied liberally and frequently, but for proper prevention you do need to make sure the factory underseal isn’t trapping moisture.

Other repair costs on the MX-5

Typical wear and tear items include brakes, which are a floating/sliding caliper design and need regular servicing or rebuilds at around £100/corner, failed differentials and gearboxes on abused cars, and wheelbearings on older, higher-mileage and track cars.

The front wheelbearings are a complete hub and easy to change at low cost. The rear wheelbearings are quite involved.

2.0-litre Sport models have a limited-slip differential. It’s not a particularly complex or sophisticated unit, but increases the appeal of the MX-5 for ‘drifting’, meaning the parts are sought after secondhand, and often abused on higher-mileage, clearly raced cars.

Resale values:

Mazda MX-5 Mk3 values are at their lowest stage; the earliest cars are nearly 16 years old, have a reputation for rust, and have yet to get the classic appeal of the original and facelifted Mk2 MX-5s. When buying a used MX-5 Mk3 it’s worth spending more on a good, reliable and solid example now, rather than going for the bottom of the market then spending a lot on repairs for a car that’s not going to increase in value.

Buying in winter is always worthwhile, as prices are suppressed and the soft roof can make the car feel damp if not maintained perfectly. You can expect a 25-50% increase in actual sale price, depending on the age and type of MX-5; hard top values vary less as their appeal is year-round.

Given the rarity of the Mk3, if you like and enjoy the car it’s worth investing in rust proofing and prevention for long-term ownership.