Some sort of leak (water dripping out, coolant level depleting quickly from radiator, pool of water underneath etc). Tried a garage who said he thought it was a leaking water pump (1/01)

Well, it could easily be the water pump, or a leak from the water inlet pipe (to the pump) or it's gasket. Bit of an involved job to check - proceed as for changing cam belt. Once you've got that far, you should be able to see where the leak is coming from. If it is from the water pump, he needs a new one - MX5 Parts sell them for 52.43 (+postage). (Although it could just be the gaskets). You'll need various gaskets that go around the water pump anyway. Fitting involves removing cam belt (is that due anyway?), P/S pump, the inlet water pipe and the water pump itself. All a bit time consuming but nothing very difficult. (1/01)

Try the feeble little plastic radiator drain plug. It can get dirt on the seat and leak a bit. I've just spent the weekend draining-flushing-draining-refilling due to this. A bit of PTFE (plumbers) thread tape may help. (1/01)