What should I check when buying a pre-owned Mazda MX-5?

In my experience, 100k miles is fine for the MZR engine. You must check the coolant expansion tank first tho... if the plastic is yellow or brittle, its a ticking time bomb for the head gasket. Ive seen many NCs lost to that. To stay on budget, grab a Autel AutoLink AL319 OBD2 Scanner to scan for pending codes. Itll save you a fortune in hidden repairs.

> Also I found one with 100k miles that looks clean but idk if thats too high for these engines... what should I really be looking at during the test drive? Had a moment to think about this more while looking back at my first NC purchase. 100k miles isnt actually a dealbreaker if the maintenance is documented. During my journey with these cars, I found that suspension bushings often perish by this mileage. If it feels loose or makes clunks over speed bumps, it likely needs a refresh. I spent quite a bit of time cleaning my rear subframe using Bilt Hamber Dynax S50 750ml Anti-Corrosion Wax to stop rust before it could spread. Also check the tires. Budget brands really ruin the handling. I eventually put on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 205/45 R17 Tyres and it felt much more planted. Costs add up fast if you need four new tires and an alignment, so keep that in mind for your budget... gotta leave room for the basics.

Building on the earlier suggestion, check for damp carpets too. I learned the hard way when a tiny drain leak fried the immobilizer module hidden under the floorboards of my first NC.