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H956 ELW

1990 Mazda MX-5

Yellow Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Sep 2026
Tests32 (18 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate56.3%

Mileage

118,448 mi
Last recorded118,448 miles
Recorded on5 Sep 2025
Typical for 1990 Mazda MX-5116,196 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationH956 ELW
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1990
ColourYellow
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

18 pass 14 fail
Pass 5 Sep 2025 118,448 miles

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

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

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

under side of vehicle covered in under sill

Pass 5 Sep 2024 114,342 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil weeping from top seal (5.3.2 (b))

Steering system slightly rough (2.1.1 (a))

Fail 4 Sep 2024 114,338 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil weeping from top seal (5.3.2 (b))

Steering system slightly rough (2.1.1 (a))

Pass 15 Sep 2023 113,071 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Fail 15 Sep 2023 113,071 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Pass 17 Aug 2022 111,591 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

Fail 17 Aug 2022 111,591 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

Fail 24 May 2022 111,583 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced n/s & o/s inner sills excessively corroded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 7 May 2021 109,265 miles

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge n/s & o/s (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

both front & rear subframes corroded

both rear inner sills corroded

Fail 7 May 2021 109,262 miles

Headlamp not working on dipped beam n/s & o/s light unit does not pop up (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Headlamp not working on main beam n/s & o/s (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps n/s & o/s (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge n/s & o/s (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

both front & rear subframes corroded

both rear inner sills corroded

Pass 9 May 2020 105,511 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

High level stop light not working

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

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

Underside of vehicle has some corrosion

Pass 17 Mar 2017 101,147 miles

Nearside Rear rear of inner wheel arch corroded to excess considered non structural

Nearside Rear sill corroded and holed outside 03 cms

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

Offside Rear inner wheel arch corroded to excess outside of 30 cms of seat belt mounting

offside front and offside rear floor slightly corroded

power steering pipes slightly corroded

suspension arms/ sub frames corroded front and rear

Fail 16 Mar 2017 101,147 miles

Brake performance not tested brake pipe leaking nearside front (3.7.A.1)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear rear of inner wheel arch corroded to excess considered non structural

Nearside Rear sill corroded and holed outside 03 cms

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

Offside Rear inner wheel arch corroded to excess outside of 30 cms of seat belt mounting

offside front and offside rear floor slightly corroded

power steering pipes slightly corroded

suspension arms/ sub frames corroded front and rear

Pass 18 Mar 2016 98,908 miles

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

Nearside Rear rear of wheel arch panel corroded to excess not load bearing !

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

Offside Rear front of inner wheel arch corroded to excess not within 30 cms !

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded pipes from steering rack (2.3.2)

front and rear suspension /sub frames corroded

wipers could clear better

Fail 14 Mar 2016 98,908 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded to nearside rear (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Brake pipe leaking front to rear (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear rear of wheel arch panel corroded to excess not load bearing !

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

Offside Rear front of inner wheel arch corroded to excess not within 30 cms !

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded pipes from steering rack (2.3.2)

front and rear suspension /sub frames corroded

wipers could clear better

Pass 17 Mar 2015 96,737 miles

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

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

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

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

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

nearside rear rear of wheel arch lower panel corroded cand holed (not load bearing )

offside rear front of inner wheel arch holed outside of 30 cms

Fail 16 Mar 2015 96,736 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

nearside rear rear of wheel arch lower panel corroded cand holed (not load bearing )

offside rear front of inner wheel arch holed outside of 30 cms

Pass 24 Mar 2014 93,910 miles

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

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

Fail 21 Mar 2014 93,910 miles

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

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

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

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

Pass 14 Mar 2013 90,662 miles

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

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

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

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

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

nearside rear inner rear of wheel arch is corroded to excess outside of 30 cms

offside rear inner wheel arch front of is corroded to excess outside of 30 cms

Fail 13 Mar 2013 90,662 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

nearside rear inner rear of wheel arch is corroded to excess outside of 30 cms

offside rear inner wheel arch front of is corroded to excess outside of 30 cms

Pass 20 Mar 2012 88,631 miles

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

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

nearside rear brake slight bind

nearside rear inside boot corroded to excesss

offside rear inner wheel arch corroded to excess outside of 30 cms

Fail 16 Mar 2012 88,631 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

nearside rear brake slight bind

nearside rear inside boot corroded to excesss

offside rear inner wheel arch corroded to excess outside of 30 cms

Pass 15 Mar 2011 84,853 miles

Nearside Rear rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

front brake discs worn

rear brake discs worn

Pass 26 Mar 2010 81,633 miles

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

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

clutch slave cyiinder slight leak

Fail 22 Mar 2010 81,633 miles

Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

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

clutch slave cyiinder slight leak

Pass 18 Mar 2009 74,869 miles

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

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

corrosion in boot area

discs worn

Fail 18 Mar 2009 74,865 miles

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

corrosion in boot area

discs worn

Pass 26 Mar 2008 70,753 miles

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

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

rear number plate starting to fade

Fail 25 Mar 2008 70,753 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

rear number plate starting to fade

Pass 21 Mar 2007 65,374 miles
Pass 20 Mar 2006 60,741 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

cracks in outer wall of offside front tyre

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

H956 ELW is a 1990 Mazda MX-5 in Yellow with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.3%.

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 H956 ELW, 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 H956 ELW?

You can check the full history of H956 ELW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H956 ELW registered?

H956 ELW is a 1990 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 21 August 1990.

Is H956 ELW safe to buy?

The MOT history for H956 ELW shows 32 tests with a 56.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H956 ELW 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 H956 ELW. 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.