Just Mot'd my wifes MX5 and although it passed was advised about cracks in tread on all four tyres. Is this normal for a little used car.
It has Continentals all round with plenty of tread left. Should I be concerned?

Sorry mate
Probably not what you want to here,
but bin them.
Don't take chances with dodgy tyres.

As above - a little used car will have tyres perish / harden with age before wearing out so they're well past their best and not going to offer full grip. Best to replace them

only thing between you and the road...

If its just a plodder I would say OK at low speeds.

BUT the MX5 is capable of much more. So as above.

How much are the tyres against the price of the car or your life...

Thanks for the advice, it was what I was expecting to hear. Looks like new tyres at the weekend.

I've ound this sort of problem is quite prevelant with a good(ish) handling car!

But, as said above, it's not going to cost you a fortune to replace what is one of the most impostant aspects of a cars handling...

if it's on 15s, 195/50/15 toyo T1Rs are rated very highly on mx5s. £130 for 4 from camskill.

i'm running t1ss on mine but will be replacing them with t1rs once i get the new wheels painted
tom

im sure i read something a while back that said tyres over 5years old should be changed. usually they have a number on them to indicate when they were made.

but as others have said if they are cracked get shot of them.

i have only ever had one tyre fail on me and that scared the poo out of me enough to always buy good quality new tyres ever since.

For me I wouldn't care, just wear them out, but for my wife - well you would never forgive yourself if something bad happened...

It is quite normal for Continentals to crack between the treads

What the problem is particularly in the UK is the ingress of salty water attacks the mesh reinforcement making the tyre layers delaminate.
This is further compounded by moisture that expands when it freezes causing further breakdown in the compound.
Had the same problem with the Smart car in that it didnt wear out its boots but the cases cracked.
The tyres start to go out of shape as well and bumps form, this is where the blow out failure will occur....

Well look on the bright side, burnouts and donuts!