Mazda MX-5 NB buying guide

1998 to 2005. An NB suits a driver who wants a light, simple roadster and is ready to check the structure properly before buying.

Big jobs

Front chassis rails. The front chassis legs are double skinned and can rot from the inside. Specialists describe rot here as often terminal.
Rear sills and sill to arch joins. Rust in the rear sills and where they join the rear arches is widely reported, and many cars already have patch repairs.

Rear wheel arches. Rear arches rust from the inside out, so visible bubbling is usually only part of it. Blocked drains make it worse.
Hood drains and roof leaks. Leaking roofs and blocked drain holes are commonly reported. The fabric also tends to tear at the fold above the side windows.
Rear main seal and sump gasket. Oil leaks at the gearbox bellhousing are reported, and in most cases come from the rear crankshaft seal or the sump gasket.
Suspension bushes and rear calipers. Tired bushes, worn dampers and seized brake calipers are listed as common problems.

Radiator and cooling system. Cooling system neglect and radiator wear are commonly reported. A radiator whose plastic has faded from black to light grey is near the end.

Has the car been on a hoist recently, and has anyone looked at the front chassis legs?
Has any rust repair been done on the sills or arches, and are there photos from before the underseal?
When were the cambelt and water pump last done, and at what km?
Is it a 5 speed or 6 speed, and does it have the LSD?
Has the hood been replaced, and has the carpet ever been wet?

Researched 2026-11-01. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.