Used Mazda MX-5 for sale: everything you need to know

The Mazda MX-5 is one of the world’s best-known sports cars, and has been going strong for more than 30 years. It’s one of the most entertaining new cars at any price, and that’s great news for buyers because while it’s not a cheap car, it’s still far more accessible than many modern performance cars.

That’s equally relevant whether the MX-5 is new or used, too. Built over four generations MX-5s are abundant in the used market, but the current model is fast approaching a decade on sale and has changed only slightly over that time, so an affordable used MX-5 still has most of the qualities of a car fresh off the showroom floor.

There really isn’t a lot out there like it, either. Unlike the model’s 1990s heyday, rivals are few and far between. You have to pay almost double for a BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster brand new, while even used rivals are tricky to find - the Mazda-built Fiat 124 Spider and its Abarth equivalent are closest.

Should you buy a Mazda MX-5?

The short but qualified answer is yes, you should absolutely buy a Mazda MX-5. There are some small caveats: you need to be okay with two seats and a small (127-litre) boot, the cabin is a real squeeze for taller people and doesn’t have much storage space, and if you’re not familiar with compact, open-topped sports cars, then the relative lack of refinement next to even Fiestas and Clios may come as a shock.

But otherwise, there really aren’t many reasons not to buy an MX-5, new or used. In brief, the Mazda MX-5 is fantastic fun to drive, is a doddle to own thanks to its small, parking-space friendly size and excellent reliability, doesn’t cost much to fuel, and its ubiquity means it’s pretty easy to find a car in budget - be that the current, fourth-generation car, or one of the older but still hugely entertaining variants.

The MX-5 lineage goes all the way back to 1989, but the current model was launched in 2015, with the UK getting a pair of engines, a 1.5-litre and a 2.0-litre, both petrol four-cylinder units driving the rear wheels. That lineup is the same today, though the 2.0-litre got a useful power boost in 2018, while trim levels have changed a few times over the years, generally offering more equipment to offset a steady rise in price.

All MX-5s have fantastic steering, incredibly nimble and involving handling even at low speeds, and they don’t even ride too badly. The cockpit is cosy but nicely designed, and of course, you can drop the roof - manually in a matter of seconds in the roadster, and electrically in not much longer time in the coupe-style, hard-topped MX-5 RF.

It’s a car that has the market virtually to itself these days. Between 2016 and 2019 it was joined by the Fiat and Abarth’s 124 Spider, which were actually an MX-5 under the skin and built out in Japan, but styled in Italy and powered by Fiat engines. They’re very similar to drive, to the point where choosing one over the Mazda is down to personal preference on the badge and styling. Beyond that, the Toyota GR86 is one of the best sports cars around and is very much in the same vein as the MX-5, but doesn’t offer an open-topped version. Used Audi TT Roadsters, BMW Z4s and Porsche Boxsters are also an option - but you’d be looking at a much older one to match the price of a new or used MX-5.

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What’s the best used Mazda MX-5 model to buy?

Don’t shy away from the 1.5-litre cars. They still feel quick because the MX-5 is so light, and the revvy engine is a delight to use. Lower equipment levels aren’t really a problem either, since even the most basic MX-5s feature useful kit like air conditioning - though earlier cars come without touchscreen infotainment systems.

We have to recommend the 2.0-litre cars though, especially the post-2018 models which aren’t just more powerful but are happier spinning to the red line than the slightly harsh earlier cars. They’re nearly as economical but the extra power and torque means they don’t need working as hard in day to day driving. They also tend to come with uprated suspension and a limited-slip differential for even more controlled handling.

Used Mazda MX-5 fuel economy and performance

• Mazda MX-5 1.5 Skyactiv-G: All MX-5 engines use a four-cylinder petrol layout, powering the rear wheels. The 1.5-litre model develops 132PS, good for 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds in roadster form and 8.7sec for the slightly heavier RF. Combined economy is 44.8mpg for both.
• Mazda MX-5 2.0 Skyactiv-G: The larger petrol engine develops 184PS (up from 157PS prior to the 2018 update), which gets the roadster from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and the RF in 6.8 seconds. Mazda quotes economy of 40.9mpg.
• Mazda MX-5 2.0 Skyactiv-G auto: With an automatic gearbox rather than the standard six-speed manual, the 2.0-litre petrol is only available in RF form, where it goes from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and does 37.2mpg.

What used Mazda MX-5 trim levels are available?

The Mazda MX-5’s trim levels have been rejigged a couple of times since the model made its debut, but currently you get two main trim levels, with equipment varying slightly depending on the engine, plus a special edition each for the 1.5 and 2.0-litre models. The special editions don’t tend to hang around for more than a year though, so these are very much subject to change.

• The Mazda MX-5 Prime Line is where the MX-5 range currently starts. 16-inch black alloy wheels are standard, as are LED headlights, heated fabric seats, a 7-inch multimedia display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and climate control.
• The Mazda MX-5 Exclusive Line gets the same 16-inch alloys but in a silver finish rather than black, adaptive headlights, rain-sensing wipers, leather trim, 9-speaker Bose audio, and keyless entry. 2.0-litre models upgrade to 17-inch alloy wheels, and get a reversing camera, sports suspension, and a limited-slip differential.
• The Mazda MX-5 Kizuna is one of the current special editions, with only 250 being made. It comes in either Machine Grey or Deep Crystal Blue paintwork, with a blue soft top, and light stone Nappa leather trim, plus all the Exclusive Line kit. It comes only with the 1.5-litre engine.
• The Mazda MX-5 Homura is another special edition, this time for the 2.0-litre. In addition to Exclusive Line trim, it gets 17-inch BBS alloy wheels, Brembo brake calipers, and light stone Nappa leather trim.
• Several other trim lines have been offered over the years. When the fourth-generation MX-5 debuted the standard trim lines were SE, SE-L Nav, Sport, and Sport Nav, with ‘Nav’ versions getting a touchscreen navigation system. The MX-5 range has always included plenty of special editions too, and notable ones since 2015 have included the Sport Recaro, Icon, Arctic, Z-Sport, R-Sport, and Sport Venture - though the most notable are 2019’s bright orange 30th Anniversary cars celebrating 30 years of the MX-5, and the 100th Anniversary models in pearl white with a red roof and interior, in celebration of 100 years of Mazda in 2020.

Used Mazda MX-5 dimensions and boot size

The Mazda MX-5’s dimensions are:

• Length: 3915mm
• Width: 1495mm (without mirrors), 1918mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1225mm (1.5), 1230mm (2.0), +5mm RF
• Ground clearance: 141mm (1.5), 147mm (2.0)

The Mazda MX-5’s boot size is:

• 127 litres

Used Mazda MX-5 road tax

Brand new and in the first year of registration, a 1.5-litre MX-5 currently costs £255 in its first year, a 2.0-litre manual £645, and a 2.0-litre automatic £1040. From the second year onwards, all MX-5s registered after April 2017 cost a flat rate of tax, which is currently £180 per year. Prior to this, yearly VED or ‘road tax’ is based on the car’s CO2 emissions.

How much is it to insure a Mazda MX-5?

The MX-5’s low running costs don’t just extend to miserly fuel consumption, as insurance isn’t too expensive either, though you’ll naturally pay more than you would for a basic supermini or family car. A 1.5-litre model currently starts in group 27, rising to group 33 for the top 2.0-litre cars, though some special editions can rise a little higher than this.

Read our full Mazda MX-5 review