MX5 MK2 - serious rust issues? check before you buy one!
Discussion
I popped into my local MOT station today and they were testing a 2003 MX5. I know the guy well and he knows I have a MK1...
He called me over to look at the front chassis rails on what was an immaculate car...
I have not seen rot like it for years! it was like looking under a 70's car! The whole chassis rails both sides were totally rotten!
seems that VOSA have made testers aware of the problems and where to look for corrosion, which is affecting a lot of cars, he said he had failed quite a few recently...
The owner of this one was not happy as he had only bought it 9 months ago and paid over the odds as it was a very tidy car, with low miles. By the look of it it was beyond economical repair...
I was not aware that the MK2 rot so badly...
He called me over to look at the front chassis rails on what was an immaculate car...
I have not seen rot like it for years! it was like looking under a 70's car! The whole chassis rails both sides were totally rotten!
seems that VOSA have made testers aware of the problems and where to look for corrosion, which is affecting a lot of cars, he said he had failed quite a few recently...
The owner of this one was not happy as he had only bought it 9 months ago and paid over the odds as it was a very tidy car, with low miles. By the look of it it was beyond economical repair...
I was not aware that the MK2 rot so badly...
Henry Fiddleton said:
Out of interest, just how dangerous is the rust issue?
For example, if I was to turn my car into a track car - and maybe trailor it in the future (hell if I am going to spend money on coilovers, a roll bar etc) I dont want to bin it.
Is my engine like to fall out or something ridiculous?
:-)
Looking at the one I saw, I would not want to track it, especially when MK1's are so cheap....For example, if I was to turn my car into a track car - and maybe trailor it in the future (hell if I am going to spend money on coilovers, a roll bar etc) I dont want to bin it.
Is my engine like to fall out or something ridiculous?
:-)
I looked at a Mazda 3 the other day... lots of rust underneath... and a 2004 Mazda 6 with completely rotten sills...
Mazda have a real rust problem...
MX-5 Lazza said:
Flatinfourth said:
Is this body rust quality control thing mith Mazdas in any way related to the fact that Ford are one of the remaining manufacturors to produce cars that rust?
It's nothing to do with Ford. It's a Mazda. Would you blame Fiat for dodgy electrics in an Alfa?Maybe they still do after looking under a couple of newish MX5's...
MX-5 Lazza said:
The chassis rail rust is due to an enforced change to make the car pass collision safety regulations. It was nothing to do with any link with Ford. After all, Ford also owned Volvo, Jaguar, Aston Martin & Land Rover. Did these cars all suffer from rust issues during that period?
Mazda do seem to have a real rust issue emerging though with other models, as well as MX5...
What worries me about the rust on the MK2 is that its hidden... The car I looked at that prompted this thread was immaculate, and I don't use that word lightly.
Although the chassis was rotten, he remainder of the car was just perfect, it did not even look as if it had had any paintwork or bodywork, the paint was factory fresh, and when I ran my hand under the rear wheel arch lip, it was perfect, and clean, the sign of a fastidious owner.
This is going to kill a lot of MX5's
Although the chassis was rotten, he remainder of the car was just perfect, it did not even look as if it had had any paintwork or bodywork, the paint was factory fresh, and when I ran my hand under the rear wheel arch lip, it was perfect, and clean, the sign of a fastidious owner.
This is going to kill a lot of MX5's
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