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J160 RTA

1999 Mazda MX-5

Yellow Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Aug 2026
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

125,141 mi
Last recorded125,141 miles
Recorded on18 Aug 2025
Typical for 1999 Mazda MX-582,499 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ160 RTA
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1999
ColourYellow
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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 18 Aug 2025 125,141 miles

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (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 18 Aug 2025 125,120 miles

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Coil spring corroded all 4 (5.3.1 (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))

Pass 11 Dec 2023 116,236 miles

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

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced General corrosion to body and inner floor area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 11 Dec 2023 116,236 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced General corrosion to body and inner floor area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 14 Dec 2022 110,240 miles

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced General corrosion to body and inner floor area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 15 Dec 2021 105,564 miles

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced General corrosion to body and inner floor area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 14 Dec 2020 102,837 miles

Coil spring corroded All (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside and offside inner and outer sills corroded

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All 4 suspension arms corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 13 Jun 2019 98,648 miles

Both front upper/lower suspension arms corroded

Both rear inner sills corroded

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

Offside rear outer sill corroded

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

Underside of vehicle corroded

Pass 29 Jun 2018 96,220 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Surface rust to all suspension components and bolts

Surface rust to front bulk head around brake servo

Surface rust to inner and outer sill and floor pans

Fail 28 Jun 2018 96,220 miles

Emissions not tested Due to exhaust leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Surface rust to all suspension components and bolts

Surface rust to front bulk head around brake servo

Surface rust to inner and outer sill and floor pans

Pass 24 May 2017 93,411 miles
Fail 5 May 2017 93,380 miles

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

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

Offside Front suspension has a suspension upper ball joint securing nut not locked (2.5.B.1a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Pass 24 Feb 2016 90,134 miles
Fail 24 Feb 2016 90,131 miles

Front Front position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Fail 17 Feb 2016 90,116 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Stop lamp not working all (1.2.1b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

Fail 21 Oct 2015 90,089 miles

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

Offside Electrical wiring inadequately supported through door (1.9.2a)

Offside front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Fail 2 Oct 2015 90,050 miles

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

Nearside Rear Electrical wiring insecure fouling drive shaft (1.9.2a)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 185/60/14 (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 185/60/14 (4.1.E.1)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 3mm (4.1.E.1)

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

clutch slave cylinder leaking

Pass 15 Oct 2014 86,865 miles
Fail 14 Oct 2014 86,862 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover missing (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

clutch res/cap missing

nsr & osf brake binding slightly

Pass 1 Oct 2013 84,135 miles

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

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

all brake pipes waxoiled unable to examine

Fail 26 Sep 2013 84,033 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

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

all brake pipes waxoiled unable to examine

Pass 3 Oct 2012 81,934 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Oct 2012 81,934 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Jun 2011 80,835 miles
Pass 4 Jun 2010 79,821 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2009 79,647 miles

Centre Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

ex mounts starting to perrish

front no plate cracked

Pass 29 Jul 2009 79,647 miles

ex mounts starting to perrish

front no plate cracked

Pass 21 Jun 2008 79,359 miles

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

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

rear suspension and chassis very rusty

Pass 15 Jun 2007 78,000 miles

Nearside Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

front no plate cracked

o/s front tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 9 May 2006 74,895 miles

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

J160 RTA is a 1999 Mazda MX-5 in Yellow with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1999 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.8% with a typical mileage of 82,499 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 J160 RTA, 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 27 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 J160 RTA?

You can check the full history of J160 RTA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J160 RTA registered?

J160 RTA is a 1999 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 January 1999.

Is J160 RTA safe to buy?

The MOT history for J160 RTA shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J160 RTA 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 J160 RTA. 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.