CarVerify

Free Car Check

H498 JLE

1990 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1600cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Oct 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

173,253 mi
Last recorded173,253 miles
Recorded on18 Sep 2025
Typical for 1990 Mazda MX-5116,196 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationH498 JLE
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1990
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc

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 10 fail
Pass 18 Sep 2025 173,253 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2024 171,108 miles
Pass 6 Oct 2023 170,278 miles
Pass 17 Sep 2022 168,968 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2021 168,563 miles
Fail 9 Aug 2021 168,502 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 4 Sep 2020 168,340 miles
Fail 29 Aug 2020 168,336 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 30 Aug 2019 167,180 miles

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

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

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

Fail 21 Aug 2019 167,177 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 14 Aug 2018 165,604 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 14 Aug 2018 165,604 miles

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 31 Jul 2018 165,570 miles

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

Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Rear fog lamp missing (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear sill repair

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 1 Aug 2017 161,388 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Fail 25 Jul 2017 161,380 miles

Brake performance not tested leaking (3.7.A.1)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 25 Jul 2016 158,392 miles

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

engine oil leak

Fail 16 Jul 2016 158,392 miles

Front Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter insecure (2.2.D.2d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

engine oil leak

Fail 17 Jun 2015 151,338 miles

Front Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Front registration plate character(s) likely to be misread (6.3.4b)

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

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

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

Pass 17 Jun 2015 151,338 miles

Front Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

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

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

Pass 18 Jul 2014 142,006 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

n/s/rear tyre cracked in tread

Fail 9 Jul 2014 142,005 miles

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

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 Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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 Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

n/s/rear tyre cracked in tread

Pass 29 Jun 2013 133,509 miles
Pass 7 Jul 2012 126,207 miles

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 30 Jun 2012 126,207 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Jun 2011 124,367 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 15 Jun 2010 113,804 miles

both front shocks starting to weep oil

engine oil leak

o/s/r centre wheel cap missing

o/s/r shock starting to weep oil

Pass 30 May 2009 105,398 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

o/s/f side light lamp unit has condension in it

spots of rust starting on sill panels(both sides)

Pass 29 May 2008 98,651 miles

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

nearside front and both rear tyre's have sign's of perishing

offside front aim starting to de-focus

sign's of corrosion all under vehicle

Pass 23 May 2007 90,627 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2006 87,976 miles

advised n/s/f and o/s/r tyres cracks in side wall

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

H498 JLE is a 1990 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1990 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.2% with a typical mileage of 116,196 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 H498 JLE, 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 36 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of H498 JLE?

You can check the full history of H498 JLE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H498 JLE registered?

H498 JLE is a 1990 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1990.

Is H498 JLE safe to buy?

The MOT history for H498 JLE shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H498 JLE 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 H498 JLE. 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.