Should I scrap my MK1 MX-5??

[kentviking]

Hi, I need some help in deciding what to do with my 1994 MX-5 1.8 - Failed MOT.

Mechanically sound, starts up fine but failed MOT for rust in the sills. Owned from new. mileage is around 130k miles.
It was assessed by MX-5 restorer in Eastbourne serviced and had uprated parts fitted at the time (coil overs + performance discs and pads) and all fluids changed, however it then failed MOT for rust and the repair job was not economical for me at the time. It has been garaged since and one tyre has gone flat that also needs changing. I tried to list it as a project car on autotrader but received no interest. I am now thinking to scrap it, but every time i see it in the driveway I cannot help but think someone with a bit of metal work skills who could fix the car would be able to keep it alive and enjoy it!

[HorneyMX5]

How much did Gareth quote you for the repairs?

Without knowing how bad it is it’s hard to say for sure what you should do. They’re only going one way in value though so investing to keep it isn’t mad.

[Ziplobb]

its too good to scrap
surely someone will give you more locally ?
if you cant find someone I will come up with my trailer from the Isle of Wight and get it for scrap value

my boy has a NB but there is always room for an NA and he will tinker with it

Edited by Ziplobb on Monday 25th December 18:13

Edited by Ziplobb on Monday 25th December 18:15

[Bonefish Blues]

MX5nutz forum would be a better place to move it on

[Drezza]

Could you bodge it with some fiberglass to get it through an MOT? Won't rot again

[Belle427]

Its the rot that puts people off sadly, you cant tell how much needs doing until you have opened it up so not many will touch it.
there are some Mx5 groups on facebook that may be a better bet for selling, ebay is useless really.

[aterribleusername]

I'd be interested in taking it on but the massively long list of fail points does I indicate it may well be beyond saving!

[kentviking]

All very helpful comments...thank you to all.

[Belle427]

Its probably worth a lot more in bits if you can break it, at the moment looking at the Mot history someone is likely to only pay scrap value and thats fair enough as repair costs look to be into the thousands.
A good hard top is worth £400 all day long.

[soad]

That’s one long fail list! Put it back on the original registration.

[MightyBadger]

As Belle has said the hardtop is worth (at least) £400 on its own. Don’t let anyone take it off your hands for ‘scrap’ value as it is worth much more (even with the rot).

[chrisch77]

The market is strong for rusty Mx5s as single donors for kit cars, so get on the Facebook groups to look for a buyer at more than scrap value. Typical kits include the MEV Exocet, MK Indy, GBS Zero etc.

[reggie747]

Unless you have multi (insert a number) thousand pounds to shove at it, you don't really have a choice.

[anonymous-user]

I'd break it and sell the parts, that is some long list of tin rot going on! Or maybe Car SOS?

[ian332isport]

Have a word with Rob. He’s welded up plenty of rotten MX5’s.

https://www.facebook.com/theskinmechanic/

[RSTurboPaul]

Mighty5s forum might also have someone interested.

[ClaphamGT3]

How the hell did it go from "a bit crusty but nothing much to worry about" to "don't take the hardtop off or it'll break in two" in 12 months and 2k miles? Did you park it in a salt mine?

[RSTurboPaul]

If that is your not-very-small driveway in the picture, have you considered having a go at fixing it yourself in the space you have?

How hard can it be, in the words of someone more famous than me?

[pigface1000]

Sell it on, someone will fix it up

[kentviking]

Thanks again for all the responses. To answer some of the questions - the invoice for a full and proper repair of all the rust work required was in the region of £6k from memory...though it is a job that someone with the appropriate skills could obviously do themselves (which is not me)...am looking into the kit car options that come with a chassis and loved the DBR1 lookalike Replicar, but it seems MEV sold on the rights before the latest owners took over and I am not sure if it is still available anywhere. Will keep posted on eventual route. Thanks again for all the helpful inputs.