Car has been off the road for nearly 3 years

[Mel]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum but seems like a great site. Anyway I am looking for advise, my 1999 10th anniversary MX5 has been off the road for way too long now (3 years) I hope to get it back on the road very soon. There was no mechanical reason for it being off the road so just wondering what I need to do and check before I start driving it again. I really don't know anything about cars so any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mel

[rhysmate]

where are you based mel

[Steve]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum but seems like a great site. Anyway I am looking for advise, my 1999 10th anniversary MX5 has been off the road for way too long now (3 years) I hope to get it back on the road very soon. There was no mechanical reason for it being off the road so just wondering what I need to do and check before I start driving it again. I really don't know anything about cars so any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mel

For a start, change the oil + filter, check all other fluids, make sure the brakes are working properly and haven't seized. I guess it'll be due an NCT now anyway?

[Mel]

Thanks for the replies rhysmate and Steve. I'm in Dublin. The brake looks rusty but don't seems to have seized up. fingers crossed. I did however notice when I took off the front wheel the rubber under the suspension coil?? has fallen to bit. Does this mean the whole shocks have to be replaced?

[rhysmate]

i would put it through the NCT straight away and fix what it brings up.. id also do what steve said and change the oil and filter and brake/clutch fluid.. The nct will tell you if the shocks are bad. i hope you didnt park it on grass for the 3 yrs though?

Put up pics of the car too!!!!

[Mel]

Going to get it serviced for all the standard stuff oil, filters, fluids etc. It has been parked on the road for approx 2 years and then on gravel for about a year. What is bad about on the grass? It was started every copule of months, it had to be jump started each time as battery was flat but it turned over and started 1st time everytime So far it has just had a wash and polish on the outside as it was looking very very neglected. I think the drain holes may be blocked around the roof as some water was inside around the soft top. I will organise to put it through the NCT and hopefully nothing major shows up. There is a small hole in the rear passenger light about the size of a 1 cent coin so might get away with some lens repair tape until I can source a replacement. I will try and put up photos at some stage. Thanks again for your replies.

[Merlot man]

Hello Mel .There is another one of those 10th anniversay models in swords owned by robert maguire ,he also breaks mx5's so give him a shout if you need anything , he is autocheck on this site.
I live in Clare and there is one down here also ,very nice models, love the colour and chromed wheels ,anyway welcome to the forum.
Brian

[rhysmate]

Cars rot very quickly when sat on grass for too long. looking forward to pics

[sidewaysreilly]

dont worry about the rubber yoke,just isolates noise from the Billstein Shocks. Just pull it off.

[MX5Spares]

Give me a shout about servicing etc and we have rear lamp also.Robert 086 8226506