How much is my Mazda MX-5 (2015-2017) worth?

The quintessential Japanese roadster should garner some worth here in South Africa. Without further ado, how much is your Mazda MX-5 worth?

How do I find out how much my used car is worth?

When one thinks of affordable roadsters with loads of character, the first vehicle that comes to mind is the Mazda MX-5. South Africa has received all generations of the MX-5 up until the recent ND chassis, which stopped selling in South Africa since the RF model. You can watch our overview of MX-5 history here.

The ND chassis MX-5 can be considered as the purest distilled form of the MX-5 formula in modern times. It’s compact, good-looking, drives like a dream and has all the modern conveniences while not compromising on what makes it great. This, in turn, makes it a hard car to sell for the owner, at least as it can be a pride and joy vehicle. How much are they really worth, though?

How to find out how much a Mazda MX-5 is worth

Eventually, you’re going to have to sell your car at some point. Especially with something as beloved as your MX-5. Perhaps you want a different car; maybe life circumstances might have changed, meaning your needs and demands have changed too. 2 Door sports cars are usually the first on the chopping block with this sort of thing. With this in mind, you want to get the best value possible out of your MX-5 when the time comes to sell. There will be a bit of homework involved, but with the right information, you’re less likely to lose money, and you’ll be realistic with what you currently have.

What affects the value of your Mazda MX-5?

If you want to value your MX5, you can start here. There are a few ways to inspect your car’s worth online or in person. In this writer’s opinion, in-person assessments are the best but require some more effort. You can use online tools to give a decent indication of what you can get, but pictures can only tell part of a story. An In-person assessment can garner the exact amount a dealer or even private buyer would be looking at forking out. It’s worth mentioning that values will differ between dealers and private buyers as dealers need to make money and cover the cost associated with a sale.

There are a few factors that can affect the value of your MX-5. To start with, is the year of manufacture and trim level. Next up is the vehicle mileage. Generally speaking, higher mileage vehicles tend to go for a lower value versus lower mileage vehicles as they have components that have worn out more due to frequent use. Now, considering that the MX-5 is a sports car, we need to emphasise vehicle maintenance. While they are relatively easy cars to maintain, it is a sports car at the end of the day. This is where it’s crucial that the car has a full-service history. Remember, sports cars tend to be driven hard, and whilst the ND chassis MX-5 is indeed a robust car, a comprehensive service record shows the potential buyer of your vehicle that it has been well-maintained and cared for. These vehicles can be susceptible to modifications, but more on that here.

Do Mazda MX-5s hold their value?

The ND Chassis MX-5 in soft top manual transmission form has held its value pretty well. The RF model has lost some value, and you don’t see very many pop up on the local market. This is a niche car, after all, so they tend to be quite scarce.

*Pricing correct at the time of publishing and subject to change without notice

How to increase the value of your Mazda MX-5

Firstly, you need to ensure that your MX-5 is in the best possible condition. Here are a few ways to go about this.  The vehicle needs to be properly serviced. Then, replace worn-out components like brakes and tyres. Cosmetically, the car needs to be presentable inside and out. The MX-5 is a low-down sports car, so it’s susceptible to scuffs on the front bumper and side skirts due to its ride height. Please also wash your MX-5 thoroughly once it’s deemed mechanically sound. Follow all these, and rest assured you can increase the value of your MX-5 and get the best possible deal when the time comes to sell.

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