Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

Mazda MX-5 2.0i Sport Tech

A surging at low speed was unwelcome, but a factory software upgrade soon sorted things and smoothness was restored

Mazda MX-5 2.0i

It’s funny how you can think you’re imagining things. When we first got the latest-shape MX-5 I was sure I could feel it surging slightly when I had it on a steady throttle, but I discounted the problem as a figment of my imagination. However,  John Barker, having driven the Mazda at Car of the Year last month, declared that my noggin wasn’t playing tricks on me – there was almost certainly an engine management issue.

Advertisement - Article continues below

I phoned a Mazda dealer to book the MX-5 in and was warned that finding the cause of a problem like this could take longer than a day. But when I dropped the car off the next morning I was told that there was now a recall on all new MX-5s (that’s what I call quick work!) for a software upgrade because of engine surging. A-ha!

When I picked the car up later that day it had been cleaned (nice touch) and the surging problem hasn’t re‑occurred since. Perfect.

Running Costs

Date acquiredAugust 2009
Total mileage9180
Costs this month£0
Mileage this month961
MPG this month31.7
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Citroën C5 Aircross review – quirky, honest SUV offering Range Rover comfort on a budget
Citroën C5 Aircross
In-depth reviews

Citroën C5 Aircross review – quirky, honest SUV offering Range Rover comfort on a budget

When is a generic family crossover not the dullest thing on Earth? When it’s a comfy Citroën glazed in weirdness
9 Apr 2026
Porsche 911 (992.2) review – more complex than ever, but still the best sports car
Porsche 911 (992.2) – front
In-depth reviews

Porsche 911 (992.2) review – more complex than ever, but still the best sports car

The 992-generation 911 has taken time to reveal its character, but it’s evolved into a sports car with enormous breadth and ability
10 Apr 2026
Jaguar F-Pace SVR long term test – more efficient than a diesel Discovery
Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Long term tests

Jaguar F-Pace SVR long term test – more efficient than a diesel Discovery

A stint in a diesel-engined Discovery that resulted in only 30mpg has convinced me the F-Pace SVR is impressively frugal
8 Apr 2026