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H196 BGJ

1998 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Apr 2027
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

186,441 mi
Last recorded186,441 miles
Recorded on1 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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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH196 BGJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourRed
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 11 fail
Pass 1 May 2026 186,441 miles

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Pass 10 Apr 2025 184,019 miles

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front 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))

Pass 5 Aug 2023 183,788 miles

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 6 Jul 2022 182,441 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 19 May 2021 176,977 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Jun 2020 175,337 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 31 Oct 2018 171,977 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 31 Oct 2018 171,977 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 24 Mar 2018 168,477 miles

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Fail 24 Mar 2018 168,477 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Pass 29 Mar 2017 164,616 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit outer edge (4.1.E.1)

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

Fail 29 Mar 2017 164,616 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit outer edge (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 3 Jun 2016 162,980 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Upper 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)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 3 Jun 2016 162,980 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Upper 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)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 14 May 2016 162,944 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover missing (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover missing (2.2.C.1c)

Pass 28 Apr 2015 159,924 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

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

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 8 May 2014 159,516 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

o\s\f tyre perishing and cracking

Fail 7 May 2014 159,516 miles

Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

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

o\s\f tyre perishing and cracking

Pass 16 Apr 2013 158,640 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Trailing arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 18 May 2012 158,106 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 15 May 2012 158,104 miles

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 28 Jun 2011 157,753 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

corroded front discs

Pass 24 Jun 2010 154,731 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 17 Jun 2010 154,731 miles

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 18 May 2009 154,143 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Fail 12 May 2009 154,143 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Pass 7 May 2008 152,412 miles
Pass 15 May 2007 147,847 miles
Fail 14 May 2007 147,847 miles

Centre Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

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

Pass 23 May 2006 137,930 miles
Fail 23 May 2006 137,930 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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.

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H196 BGJ is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 H196 BGJ, 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 H196 BGJ?

You can check the full history of H196 BGJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H196 BGJ registered?

H196 BGJ is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 3 September 1998.

Is H196 BGJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for H196 BGJ shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H196 BGJ 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 H196 BGJ. 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.