So I'm looking at buying an MK1 MX5 that is close to me and seems like a good deal. The buyer says it has 82000 miles on it and I thought I'd check the MOT history of it as you do.

This is where I've found a problem. The latest MOT corresponds with the mileage of 82000 but when I go back to 2005/2006 it says the mileage was like 98,000. Are those likely to be accurate? Or has it been clocked or the clocks been changed?

Cheers.

Is it a UK car or an import? I sure the imports were in KPH instead of MPH so the speedo unit may have been changed to a UK one and the mileage not properly adjusted?

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage on a car of that age though. It's all about how it has been looked after.

Is it a UK car or an import? I sure the imports were in KPH instead of MPH so the speedo unit may have been changed to a UK one and the mileage not properly adjusted?

I wouldn't worry too much about mileage on a car of that age though. It's all about how it has been looked after.

As far as I'm aware it's a 90hp model which means it's a UK car.

Yeah that's true. I've heard the engines, much like the polo engines, are supposed to be bulletproof!

Someone at the track day certainly proved that claim!

I'd guess it's just had to have a new set of clocks. Maybe find one of the bigger MX5 forums or groups and see if the car's known to anyone?

use the milage change to negotiate a good deal

If it's been looked after it's not really relevant. I've got a mk1 Golf Cabrio that's 'done' 124k, but I know for a fact it's not on either it's original engine or original clocks.

BUT I know that the new engine had everything replaced on the way in to the car and was looked after thereafter.

Think you need to somehow see whether the seller is aware. As, if he is happy to lie and hide that, he's probably likely to hide other things on the car.

Ring me and question it. Best way to see if they are genuine or not.

I used to work for mazda and mx5 that are looked after would do over 200,000 miles no bother