1991 Mazda MX-5 Mk 1

Highlights 

• Incredibly low mileage

• Excellent condition throughout

• Pure, early example

• Long MOT

• Just 2 UK owners

Overview

Mazda really did change the game back in 1989 when it released the MX-5 into the wild. Here was a car that took its cues from the beautiful, sporting roadsters of the 1960s – cars like the MGB and Alfa Romeo Spider, for instance – and built upon the scintillating characteristics that made those cars so popular. A touch of ingenuity inspired by a certain Mr Chapman and his Lotus Elan was added to the mix and Mazda successfully brought the two-seater roadster concept kicking and screaming into the modern age.

The Japanese Giant proved that sports cars could be reliable and affordable, bringing open top excitement to the masses and we will be forever indebted to them because the MX-5 has, is and no doubt always will be a truly excellent car that will forever remain an absolute joy to drive.

On to its fourth generation and still being made today, the perennially popular and plucky sports car has endured for a reason. Well, lots of reasons actually, but many would argue that the very first incarnation is the purist, and it's an argument that we find difficult to counter.

Whether you know it as the MX-5, Eunos Roadster or Miata, the fact remains that Mazda got it bang on first time round. Lightweight (hitting the scales at less than a tonne) with independent suspension all round and a rev-happy 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder engine with dual overhead cams powering the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox it's everything a sports car should be, and people rightly loved it. 

The Mazda MX-5 has gone on to become the best selling sports car ever, which should tell you all you need to know, but if you fancy one for yourself then you could do a lot worse than this early 1991 first generation example. Aside from a Momo steering wheel and a strut brace it's a wholly original car, even down to the factory cassette player installed in the dash. In the same ownership since its importation from Japan back in 1997 the car has been clearly coveted and when not out and about spends its time in a carpeted, dehumidified garage. And the icing on the cake? It's covered just 14,842 genuine miles from new. Oh, and those pop-up headlights of course.

History and documentation

• 1991 model year

• Two keys

• Original owner's manual

• Imported from Japan in 1997

• One UK owner

• Some receipts but the vendor informs us that the car is serviced by a mechanic friend, hence the limited documented history 

• V5C present and correct

• First registered 11 Jun 1997

• Advisory-free MOT until 12 May 2026

• HPI clear

• 14,842 miles 

Interior

• In fabulous condition throughout 

• Cloth seats present beautifully with only some light discolouration to the driver's side bolster to note

• Carpets and mats appear dry and in great condition

• Door cards and dashboard are in fine shape

• No electrical issues 

• Momo steering wheel replaces the original

• Factory radio cassette 

• Immobiliser and Clifford alarm fitted; the alarm has not been used in a while due to the car being securely stored in a garage so the key fob battery may need replacing

• The boot button is non-functional but the boot can still be opened with the key

• There appears to be a very small area of surface rust where the kick plate meets the sill on the driver's side and where the boot stops touch the frame of the car

• The boot area is clean and tidy and the car comes with a spare wheel with tyre and jack

Exterior

• For its age the car presents incredibly well

• There is no visible corrosion to the bodywork

• No signs of any damage

• Some paint wear to the wing mirrors 

• Two small spots of crazing to the paint on the boot lid

• Small chip on nearside front indicator

• All shut lines are straight and true

• Pop-up headlights are fully functional

• Removable hood looks to be in great shape and appears to fit well

• Factory 14” wheels are in fine fettle with no apparent damage

• Yokohama S306 tyres all round 

• The engine bay is clean and all visible ancillaries look to be in great shape

• Appears solid underneath with no major rust or damage to speak of

• Bonnet bra and tonneau also included

Mechanical

• 1.6-litre inline four-cylinder DOHC engine

• 115bhp

• Five-speed manual gearbox

• Rear-wheel drive

• The vendor informs us the timing belt was replaced last year

• Recent new battery

• A strut brace has been fitted under the bonnet

• The vendor informs us that the car runs well

• No mechanical issues to report

Summary

Cute and capable in equal measure you have to be a pretty jaded individual not to love a Mk1 Mazda MX-5 and this particular early model is a bit of a peach. In excellent, original condition, mechanically on point and with such incredibly low mileage it's hard to see any negatives here. Get bidding.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Crawley, West Sussex.