Impact of extremely low mileage

[M-B-S]

I'm looking at a buying MX5 NC1 2.0 but it has been averaging just 200 miles per year for the last 7 years.

Basically just been driven to mot / service and back.

It has been garaged and the owner has legitimate reasons for the low mileage but I'm concerned about the impact on the car.

Is there anything specific to look at besides the usual bits (corrosion/ service history etc). Or should I just avoid this one.

Thanks

[JPC63]

M-B-S said:

I'm looking at a buying MX5 NC1 2.0 but it has been averaging just 200 miles per year for the last 7 years.

Basically just been driven to mot / service and back.

It has been garaged and the owner has legitimate reasons for the low mileage but I'm concerned about the impact on the car.

Is there anything specific to look at besides the usual bits (corrosion/ service history etc). Or should I just avoid this one.

Thanks

All depends on storage conditions. Tyres will likely need replacing as I think the mot just checks the tread depth.

Interiors can go mouldy, most of the stuff you can just check through inspection.

[sawman]

Based on my experience with a similarly low use Morgan, anything rubber could cause bother.

[Majorslow]

If it is not full of rust underneath, and the mice have not taken up residency you may have found a nice car.

I have a MK3 2006 with only 44k miles on it. (I sorn it from end of October to 1st May) and it is fine. I get it serviced every year, and non of the rubber pipe work appears to have perished, the air con still works ice cold as well.

My local tyre place had a good look at the tyres for me, and because it's garaged has no cracking on the tyres, and they said to leave them on even though I changed them in 2016. I do however over inflate them to around 40 psi (normal 29) whilst it's parked up. I would normally change the tyres every 6 years, but they are in really good nick

I use a CTEK battery charger on it to prevent the battery dying over the winter, which works brilliantly.

Could be worth a punt if the price is something you are happy with, these cars are 2 a penny, MK1 sellers for low mileage examples are in some cases around 10k !!!

If it was me I would be very very interested. Mechanically these cars ar tough, just the body work underneath can be very poor

[Majorslow]

If it is not full of rust underneath, and the mice have not taken up residency you may have found a nice car.

I have a MK3 2006 with only 44k miles on it. (I sorn it from end of October to 1st May) and it is fine. I get it serviced every year, and non of the rubber pipe work appears to have perished, the air con still works ice cold as well.

My local tyre place had a good look at the tyres for me, and because it's garaged has no cracking on the tyres, and they said to leave them on even though I changed them in 2016. I do however over inflate them to around 40 psi (normal 29) whilst it's parked up. I would normally change the tyres every 6 years, but they are in really good nick

I use a CTEK battery charger on it to prevent the battery dying over the winter, which works brilliantly.

Could be worth a punt if the price is something you are happy with, these cars are 2 a penny, MK1 sellers for low mileage examples are in some cases around 10k !!!

If it was me I would be very very interested. Mechanically these cars are tough, just the body work underneath can be very poor

good luck

[MattsCar]

This might help...my MX5 NB (2005) has averaged 350ish miles a year over the last 10 years.

Keep it in a warm dry garage and it will be absolutely fine. You won't get any degradation of bushes or parts.

On a side note...I just woke it up today from 6 months in the garage. Battery connected, levels checked and it just fired up and was out on the road once warmed up.

I forgot just how good it is.