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J138 NLN

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Sep 2018
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

286,839 mi
Last recorded286,839 miles
Recorded on11 Sep 2018
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ138 NLN
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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

14 pass 10 fail
Fail 11 Sep 2018 286,839 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Drivers side floor pan excessively corroded along main chassis rail on underside of vehicle. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

Brake pedal anti-slip provision split.

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Both front to rear lines. (1.1.11 (c))

Clutch pedal anti-slip provision split.

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Rear section at sub-frame has been hitting floor causing to wear thin (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Inner wheel arch excessively corroded.

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Overall body condition corroded and in poor condition.

Underside of vehicle showing signs of slight damage to floor pan, chassis rails and sub-frames from hitting floor.

Pass 14 Sep 2017 281,958 miles

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

corrosion throughout vehicle

oil leak

Pass 19 Sep 2016 266,300 miles

Oil leak engine ()

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

fan couling loose/insecure

fuel cap seal perished

high level brake light inoperative

Fail 7 Sep 2016 265,960 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak engine ()

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

fan couling loose/insecure

fuel cap seal perished

handbrake warning lamp illuminated

high level brake light inoperative

Pass 4 Sep 2015 247,493 miles

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

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

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

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

brake pedal rubber worn

front bumper damaged

offside front lower ball joint has slight play

oil leak, unable to ascertain as to where

Fail 1 Sep 2015 247,493 miles

Horn not a continuous or uniform sound (1.6.2e)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

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

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

brake pedal rubber worn

front bumper damaged

offside front lower ball joint has slight play

oil leak, unable to ascertain as to where

Pass 12 Sep 2014 234,395 miles

Brake pedel rubber worn

Clutch pedel worn

Front bumper has damage but is still secure

Fuel cap seal perished

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

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

Fail 2 Sep 2014 234,395 miles

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

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

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is fractured (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Brake pedel rubber worn

Clutch pedel worn

Coolant leak

Front bumper has damage but is still secure

Fuel cap seal perished

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

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

Oil leak

Unable to test head light aims

Pass 5 Sep 2013 217,633 miles

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

front bumper damaged

Fail 5 Sep 2013 217,633 miles

Horn not a continuous or uniform sound (1.6.2e)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

front bumper damaged

Pass 17 Sep 2012 203,680 miles

Brake pedal rubber slightly worn

Main beam dip switch had bad connection but able to switch on and of at time of test

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 17 Sep 2012 203,680 miles

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

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

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

Brake pedal rubber slightly worn

Main beam dip switch had bad connection but able to switch on and of at time of test

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 20 Sep 2011 183,720 miles

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

Fail 19 Sep 2011 183,720 miles

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

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

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

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

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

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

front brake discs heavilly worn

rear brake discs heavilly worn

Pass 13 Sep 2010 164,817 miles

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

Pass 14 Sep 2009 146,329 miles

corrosion throughout body of vehicle

Pass 22 Sep 2008 127,821 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2008 126,552 miles

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Pass 7 Sep 2007 113,206 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2007 113,206 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Pass 22 Sep 2006 100,152 miles

Centre Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 10 Mar 2006 97,398 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2006 97,390 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

lowering road springs fitted all round

o/s/ & n/s chassis damaged

Pass 22 Nov 2005 97,203 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Nearside Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Offside Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

lowering springs fitted front & rear

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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

J138 NLN is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

Across all 1997 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.7% with a typical mileage of 85,711 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 J138 NLN, 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 29 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 J138 NLN?

You can check the full history of J138 NLN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J138 NLN registered?

J138 NLN is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 21 July 1997.

Is J138 NLN safe to buy?

The MOT history for J138 NLN shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J138 NLN 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 J138 NLN. 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.