Models · Mazda
Mazda MX-5 NA (Mk1) buying guide
The original MX-5, built from 1989 to 1998 with pop-up headlights, a 1.6 and, from 1994 in the UK, a 1.8. Many UK cars are Japanese-market Eunos imports. The engines are durable, and the condition of the body matters most.
The versions
- 1.6, 115bhp at launch; detuned to 89bhp from 1994 when the 1.8 arrived
- 1.8 (UK from 1994), up to 128bhp, with a stiffened shell and higher gearing
- Two-seat roadster, rear-wheel drive, five-speed manual
- Eunos Roadster: the Japanese-market version, common as an import
What to check on a Mk1 MX-5
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Rear arches, rear wings and sills
What to look for: Look closely at the inner and outer rear wheel arches, the lower rear wings where they meet the sills, the sills themselves, the base of the windscreen pillars and the lower edges of the front wings. Check that the sill drains are clear.
Why it matters: Rust is one of the first problems to appear on these cars and is often repaired poorly. Rot where the rear wing meets the sill is an MOT failure in a bad case, and advanced rear sill rot can spread into the floor. Clear drains keep it at bay, and the MOT history often shows past corrosion.
Crank pulley wobble on early 1.6s
What to look for: With the engine idling, look at the pulley at the bottom front of the engine. It should spin true with no wobble. Ask whether the car has the early small-bolt, short-nose crankshaft.
Why it matters: On early 1.6 engines with the short-nose crank, a pulley that works loose can chew the end of the crankshaft and its keyway, upsetting the cam and ignition timing. The fix is a new crankshaft, so a true-running pulley matters.
Oil at the back of the cam cover
What to look for: Look at the back of the engine where the cam angle sensor sits at the rear of the cam cover. Note any wet oil there and on the heater hose below it. A rattle from the hydraulic tappets just after starting is common and not a concern on its own.
Why it matters: The cam angle sensor's seal can leak, and on the 1.8 the oil can rot the heater hose. Tappet rattle is more likely where oil changes have been neglected, so regular services are a good sign.
Also in the full guide
- Radiator, coolant and head gasket
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Mk1 MX-5
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
Mazda MX-5 NB (Mk2 and Mk2.5) · Mazda MX-5 NC (Mk3) · Mazda MX-5 ND (Mk4)
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Mazda.