REDLINE ALLEYMazda MX-5 ND buying guide
2015 to now. An ND suits a driver who wants a light, modern roadster with low running costs.
Big jobs
- Manual gearbox selection. Problems selecting 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 2nd are reported, sometimes at very low km, and quite a few early gearboxes were replaced under warranty. Heavy track use is a risk.
Workshop jobs
- Hub carrier bushes. Hub carrier bush failure is reported, and the fix can need a complete new hub.
- Soft top wear at the roll hoops. Roofs can rub against the roll hoops if not lowered exactly as the manual says, wearing the front section.
- Engine mounts and throttle body. Engine mounts can fail on harder driven cars, and some faulty throttle body modules are reported.
Small jobs
- i-ELOOP stop start (2015 to 2017 builds). Some cars built May 2015 to April 2017 had an i-ELOOP stop start fault that in the worst case could cause a fire.
- Rear calipers. Rear calipers can seize, and a knock from the slider pins can be mistaken for a suspension noise.
- Spring coil clash fix. Spring coils were known to touch on bumps; Mazda fitted a C shaped plastic piece on the second coil from the top.
Questions for the seller
- Has the gearbox been replaced under warranty?
- Has the i-ELOOP recall been done?
- Has the car been tracked?
- Is it the 1.5 or the 2.0, and soft top or RF?
Sources
Researched 2026-11-01. General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection.