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B5 MXJ

2003 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Sep 2026
Tests26 (20 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate76.9%

Mileage

88,840 mi
Last recorded88,840 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 2025
Typical for 2003 Mazda MX-560,251 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB5 MXJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year2003
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 6 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2025 88,840 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front and rear (1.1.11 (c))

Corrosion on vehicle structure in many places including suspension arms, sub frames and vehicle chassis

Exhaust system deteriorated

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Devoid of tread on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Parking brake travel close to maximum

Fail 26 Aug 2025 88,821 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front and rear (1.1.11 (c))

Corrosion on vehicle structure in many places including suspension arms, sub frames and vehicle chassis

Exhaust system deteriorated

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Devoid of tread on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Parking brake travel close to maximum

Pass 29 Aug 2024 85,993 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated perished (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush lower bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear light lens cracked

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively very slight (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush lower bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear handbrake effort reading lower than nearside rear

corrosion in all underside steering, suspension and braking components

corrosion in centre exhaust join flange

handbrake lever has little reserve travel

Fail 20 Aug 2024 85,972 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated perished (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush lower bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear light lens cracked

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively very slight (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush lower bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear handbrake effort reading lower than nearside rear

corrosion in all underside steering, suspension and braking components

corrosion in centre exhaust join flange

handbrake lever has little reserve travel

Pass 2 Aug 2023 83,325 miles

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced and suspension components (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front inner sills and floor corroding

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake travel getting long

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced and suspension components (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear chassis and floor corroding

Rear inner and outer sills corroding

Fail 1 Aug 2023 83,325 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Inner sill/closing panel excessively corroded and holed (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced and suspension components (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front inner sills and floor corroding

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake travel getting long

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced and suspension components (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear chassis and floor corroding

Rear inner and outer sills corroding

Pass 1 Aug 2022 80,985 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 26 Aug 2021 80,412 miles

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Upper Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Upper Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 21 Aug 2020 79,997 miles
Pass 22 Aug 2019 79,228 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2019 79,219 miles

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 14 Nov 2018 79,087 miles

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 24 Oct 2017 79,187 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2016 78,945 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2015 78,349 miles
Pass 24 Sep 2014 76,002 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 13 Sep 2013 65,164 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

front brakes slightly out of balance and pads slightly low

front to rear and nearside rear brakepipes corroded(unable to see how bad due to clips and posision of pipe)

nearside and offside rear inner arches corroded

offside front and nearside rear brakes binding slightly

several suspension components at front and rear corroded

some corrosion to front discs

Fail 4 Sep 2013 64,993 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

front brakes slightly out of balance and pads slightly low

front to rear and nearside rear brakepipes corroded(unable to see how bad due to clips and posision of pipe)

nearside and offside rear inner arches corroded

offside front and nearside rear brakes binding slightly

several suspension components at front and rear corroded

some corrosion to front discs

Pass 13 Sep 2012 57,606 miles

nearside and offside rear tyres worn in centres

offside front brake binding slightly

slight corrosion to suspension components at front and rear

slight rusting to rear discs

unable to see rear inner brakepads clearly but appear ok

Pass 8 Sep 2011 49,972 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2010 43,979 miles

All four tyres worn & perished

Pass 25 Sep 2009 36,610 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2009 36,610 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Pass 24 Sep 2008 29,429 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2007 24,711 miles
Pass 1 Sep 2006 18,721 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

How Reliable is the Mazda MX-5?

Based on 2,502,760 MOT tests across 160,823 vehicles.

76.5%
Pass Rate
2,964
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
160,823
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 44,475
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 41,962
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 35,980
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 33,281
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 32,722
Full Mazda MX-5 reliability report

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B5 MXJ is a 2003 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.9%.

Across all 2003 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.2% with a typical mileage of 60,251 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Mazda MX-5 fails its MOT is seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 44,475 recorded failures. If you're considering buying B5 MXJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Mazda MX-5 typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 23 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of B5 MXJ?

You can check the full history of B5 MXJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B5 MXJ registered?

B5 MXJ is a 2003 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 30 September 2003.

Is B5 MXJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for B5 MXJ shows 26 tests with a 76.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B5 MXJ have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on B5 MXJ. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.