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H185 TEP

1998 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 May 2027
Tests37 (20 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate54.1%

Mileage

237,438 mi
Last recorded237,438 miles
Recorded on26 May 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH185 TEP
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,597cc

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 17 fail
Pass 26 May 2026 237,438 miles

Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bush worn but not considered excessive.

Offside Front outer sill excessively corroded but not within prescribed area

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bush worn but not considered excessive.

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

Underbody corroded

Fail 21 May 2026 237,276 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Front Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bush worn but not considered excessive.

Offside Front outer sill excessively corroded but not within prescribed area

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bush worn but not considered excessive.

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

Underbody corroded

Pass 16 May 2025 233,467 miles
Fail 7 May 2025 233,305 miles

Emissions unable to be completed due to over heating (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 6 May 2024 231,039 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

various parts of underside corroded

Pass 26 May 2023 225,179 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Apr 2022 223,958 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear D bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

under vehicle slightly corroded

Fail 25 Apr 2022 223,948 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced chassis leg holed (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear D bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

under vehicle slightly corroded

Pass 25 May 2021 220,905 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 21 May 2021 220,821 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 14 May 2021 220,741 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Inner Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded wing (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Brake master cylinder leaking (1.1.10 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 22 May 2020 213,980 miles
Fail 15 May 2020 213,980 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage missing (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Inner Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 22 Mar 2019 209,463 miles
Fail 20 Feb 2019 209,444 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear to t piece (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis under front floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded from t piece to nsr flexy (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge slightly feathered (5.2.3 (e))

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 21 Jul 2017 205,816 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 5 May 2017 205,809 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor. (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 195x50x15 (4.1.E.1)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Stop lamp not working High level. (1.2.1b)

Oil leak

Pass 27 Apr 2016 193,521 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front pipe (7.1.2)

Fail 23 Apr 2016 193,512 miles

Nearside Front Steering arm has relative movement at its fixings inner tie rod (2.2.B.1h)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage damaged and seriously weakened burst (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases front pipe (7.1.2)

Pass 23 Apr 2015 180,763 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2014 174,444 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 23 Apr 2014 174,441 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 8 Feb 2013 165,778 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 11 Oct 2012 216,957 miles

*** OFFSIDE REAR TYRE VERY BADLY WORN ON INNER SHOULDER / SIDEWALL ***

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside rear tyre worn on inner shoulder.

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside rear tyre is cracking.

Rear brake pads wearing low.

Slight play in steering rack.

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 3 Oct 2012 216,953 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

*** OFFSIDE REAR TYRE VERY BADLY WORN ON INNER SHOULDER / SIDEWALL ***

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside rear tyre worn on inner shoulder.

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside rear tyre is cracking.

Rear brake pads wearing low.

Slight play in steering rack.

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 29 Sep 2011 20,927 miles

Brake fluid level is very low.

Front and rear brake pads are worn low.

Front nearside brake disc very bady pitted / corroded.

Front number plate is deteriorating.

Offside rear tyre is worn smooth on inner shoulder.

Screen damaged in Zone 'A' which is on the limits.

Fail 28 Sep 2011 209,274 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Brake fluid level is very low.

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Front and rear brake pads are worn low.

Front nearside brake disc very bady pitted / corroded.

Front number plate is deteriorating.

Offside rear tyre is worn smooth on inner shoulder.

Screen damaged in Zone 'A' which is on the limits.

Pass 24 Sep 2010 200,363 miles

centre stop light not working.

o/s & n/s front chassis legs corroded

o/s front brake pipe corroded

Fail 23 Sep 2010 200,360 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

centre stop light not working.

o/s & n/s front chassis legs corroded

o/s front brake pipe corroded

Pass 20 Aug 2009 189,961 miles
Fail 19 Aug 2009 189,961 miles

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 7 Aug 2008 138,265 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2008 138,265 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Pass 1 Aug 2007 82,056 miles
Fail 1 Aug 2007 82,056 miles

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 26 Jun 2006 176,097 miles
Fail 26 Jun 2006 176,097 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

H185 TEP is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.1%.

Across all 1998 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.9% with a typical mileage of 86,993 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

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 H185 TEP, 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 28 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 H185 TEP?

You can check the full history of H185 TEP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H185 TEP registered?

H185 TEP is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 27 March 1998.

Is H185 TEP safe to buy?

The MOT history for H185 TEP shows 37 tests with a 54.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H185 TEP 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 H185 TEP. 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.