Offered a bargain MX5 should i?

Mattius · 7 Apr 2008 at 21:15

Been looking for a cheap runaround, been offered a cheap MX-5, 1990 1.6i, 86,000 miles.
But it dont have an MOT and the seller claims he hasnt had time.

Now from what i understood the mechanics in these rarely fail, is this true? is there anything i should look out for?

there is some rust but nothing im worried about i can fix it all quickly and easily.

been offered it for 600 quid, which is a bargain price.

Mattius · 7 Apr 2008 at 21:21

Rust isnt bad at all, just a few bits in the usual places round the headlights etc, and even then it is just paint bubbling so not too deep set in.

also im very very used to dealing with rust, if you seen my spitfire project i re body paneled the whole thing. welding it all up.

Mattius · 7 Apr 2008 at 22:23

hmmm it seems too good to be true, the car is at the guys mates garage, yet doesnt have an mot, hmmmm, its at a propper full on garage yet he cant mot it. hmmmm...

gonna have to have a long think about this one.

plus i've been told im not alowed to have another wreck of a car lieing about, so cant do too much work on it as i already have the spit in bits

Mattius · 7 Apr 2008 at 22:39

its more the un obvious faults in suspension and drivetrain, as its not got tax or mot i cant take it for a test drive so can only do a basic inspection.

Mattius · 7 Apr 2008 at 22:52

I asked him to do that, he said he didnt have time.

I've pretty much KB'd it now, if i had the space i would have taken it, the hood has definatly seen better days judging by the new photos he's sent, interior has been poor mans chaved up with cheap crap, it has no service history, he doesnt know about servicing on the car, and the car apparently had a knocking while driving so im thinking adding up all the evidence it seems to have a diff problem, i mean its at his mates garage, he could have had it mot'd for 75 quid at full costs (which he wouldnt pay if it was a mate) and asked double for the car so there is obv problems.

Mattius · 8 Apr 2008 at 12:23

volospian said:
By the way, nice piece in classics monthly. I never realised just how bad the accident was

Bloody hell how did you get yours quicker than i got my preview copy, yeah it did turn out to be a good article, i got the thanks i wanted to be put out which is all i care about.