CHECK THE OILY BITS

MX-5 engines are immensely durable, still running smoothly at 250k miles given basic maintenance. If it’s not clear which engine is fitted, check the engine number – 1.6s start ‘B6’, 1.8s ‘BP’. Look out for oil leaks from the cam cover and the crank angle sensor O-ring on the back of the cylinder head – oil can drip on to the heater hoses. Check the indicated oil pressure, but bear in mind that the gauge was connected to an on-off warning light from 1995, so will show no fluctuation of pressure. The MX-5 likes frequent oil changes; without them, you will notice a rattle on start-up from the hydraulic tappets. Even rattly tappets won’t stop an engine lasting for huge mileages, though, and fully synthetic oil may silence them. A full annual service from an independent MX-5 specialist costs around £250. A cambelt and water pump change is around £350; it should be done every six years or 60k miles, whichever comes first.