2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 litre Mk3

Highlights

• 160bhp 2-litre model

• 5-speed manual transmission

• 54,414 miles on the clock, verified

• BC Racing coilovers

• New Japan Racing alloy wheels with Yokohama tyres

Overview

If you had to spec the perfect everyday, usable sports car, there are a number of things that would absolutely have to be on the list. Rear-wheel drive? Naturally. A rorty, naturally aspirated engine? Of course. A snickety, joyous manual transmission? Silly question. Add in a dose of simplicity, a light kerbweight, good reliability and a reasonable amount of power and you have the perfect car for having fun without losing your licence or crashing so hard you knock the planet off its axis.

In short, you have an MX-5. The most successful sports car ever made, it is without doubt a petrolhead’s dream. Mazda realised that you didn’t need a million horsepower and tyres as wide as a sideboard, you just needed a dainty sportster that handles brilliantly and doesn’t leave you stranded on the roadside in a cloud of steam and regret every dozen miles. It’s one of those cars that you can drive at 8 or 9 tenths most of the time, in almost any conditions, without risking it all. 

This example is a 2-litre NC model, which means it’s fitted with the most powerful 160bhp engine, offering a healthy push to 60mph and plenty of controllable rear-drive fun. With a long MOT, part service history, genuinely low mileage and some well chosen enhancements, you can clearly see it’s been well cared for by its owners.

It also benefits from the NC’s slightly more aggressive, yet still very happy, styling. A mild bonnet hump, wider arches and smooth, minimalist surfacing result in a pretty yet muscular design that’s ageing very well indeed.

Presented here in Sunlight Silver over black leather, it’s a colour combination that shows the car’s styling off to its best. Add in the improved stance, thanks to a set of BC Racing coilovers, and those handsome Japan Racing 6-spokes and you have a very smart little roadster indeed.

If you’re looking for a happy, joyful, thrilling little sports car to enjoy the summer sunshine and some epic B-road drives, then we can’t think of anything better than this.

History and documentation

• First registered 5 June 2007

• 3 previous owners, current owner since September 2024

• 54,414 miles on the clock, verified by MOT and service records

• Current MOT expires 1 January 2026

• Paperwork file consists of some invoices and old MOT certificates

• Part Mazda service history: Jun 2008 @ 6,207 miles, Jun 2009 @ 11,641 miles, May 2010 @ 16,907 miles, Feb 2012 @ 19,859 miles

• Invoices show further services as follows: Jan 2018 @40,832 miles, Feb 2022 mileage not recorded, Feb 2023 @ 47,118 miles, Apr 2025 mileage not recorded

• Two keys

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Black leather upholstery, all presented in good order, with some minor blemishes

• Both of the seats show well, with no tears, sagging or notable damage other than some age-related wear to the driver’s side outer bolster

• Black carpets with matched over-mats, all of which to be in reasonably good condition with no threading or damage we could see

• Heated seats

• Electrically operated side windows and door mirrors

• Air conditioning

• Factory fitted 6CD/radio system

• Steering wheel mounted sound system controls

• A small integrated wind deflector sits between the two seats

• All of the interior switchgear, controls and instruments show well, with a few blemishes and some light wear commensurate with age and use

• The cabin plastics and trim pieces all present well, with no notable damage, just a few minor scuff and marks, particularly to the plastics in the boot

• The vendor tells us that everything in the cabin works just as it should, with no faults or issues reported

• The boot space is surprisingly good, with more than enough room for a few soft bags or a couple of small cases

• The boot is trimmed with dark grey carpet which looks to be in fine fettle

Exterior

• Sunlight Silver paintwork suits the car very well and shows nicely

• A few minor imperfections and some stone chips

• The front wings have received some corrosion repair and fresh paintwork

• The vendor has had the door mirrors, windscreen surround and bonnet badge resprayed in gloss black

• All of the bodywork looks to be in good order, with the panels being straight, well aligned and apparently free from corrosion and damage

• The simple, manually operated black fabric roof looks to be clean and in great condition, with no UV damage, tears or significant fading we could discern

• A Maxton Design boot lip spoiler has been fitted, as well as a gloss black front splitter

• Underneath everything looks to be ship-shape, with straight floor pans, sills and chassis rails  that appear to be free from corrosion or damage

• We noted some surface corrosion to the suspension components, but nothing that would concern us

• A fresh set of 17-inch Japan Racing ET35s, finished in gloss black,  were fitted in March 2025 and show extremely well, suiting the car perfectly and being free from any kerb damage or lacquer peel

• When the wheels were fitted, a new set of matched Yokohama Advan Sport tyres (215/45) was also fitted

Mechanical

• 1,999cc DOHC 16-valve, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder

• Rated from the factory at 160bhp, 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds, top speed of 131mph

• 5-speed manual transmission

• Rear-wheel drive

• Power assisted steering

• Anti-lock braking system

• Fitted with a set of BC Racing coilovers, which offer a small drop in ride height that gives the car an excellent ‘OEM+’ style stance

• October 2024: new offside front brake caliper, new front discs and pads

• March 2025: four-wheel alignment (following new wheel and tyre fitment)

• The vendor tells us that the car runs perfectly, with no faults or issues reported

Summary

We think that the 3rd gen ‘NC’ model has been sorely overlooked. It looks fabulous  – especially with the slight drop and Japan Racing that this example has – as well as benefiting from that punchy 160bhp 2-litre powerplant.

As a way to extract maximum enjoyment from every square inch of tarmac and pound spent, there’s little that comes close to an MX-5. If you want a small sports car, then that’s what you buy. It’s the best of its kind.

Of course, finding a low mileage, well-kept example can be difficult. Which is why we’ve done the hard work for you: if you want a handsome, well-kept, low mileage, brilliant everyday sports car, then you want this. It’s that simple.

You’re welcome.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.