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J170 GAU

1991 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Jul 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

192,600 mi
Last recorded192,600 miles
Recorded on13 Jul 2026
Typical for 1991 Mazda MX-5114,279 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ170 GAU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1991
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc
View full Mazda MX-5 reliability data Browse other 1991 Mazda MX-5 registrations

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 8 fail
Pass 13 Jul 2026 192,600 miles

Central underbody floor area damaged o/s & n/s

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

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

Pass 25 Jul 2025 180,674 miles

Coil spring corroded both rear & n/s/f (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside inner & sill corroded

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

under body damaged

Fail 17 Jul 2025 180,669 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt split (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule all corroded & hoses perished (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Coil spring corroded both rear & n/s/f (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside inner & sill corroded

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

under body damaged

Pass 19 Jul 2024 173,292 miles

Central Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (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 19 Jul 2024 173,291 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Central Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (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 26 Jan 2022 167,161 miles

Central Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis rail (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security chassis rail (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security chassis rail (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (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 Jan 2022 167,029 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill holed and corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis rail (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security chassis rail (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security chassis rail (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (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 22 Dec 2020 162,489 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2019 157,223 miles

Rear Tyre wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch (5.2.3 (f))

Pass 5 Jul 2018 154,510 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2018 154,509 miles

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen damaged and affecting the driver's view of the road (3.2 (a) (ii))

Pass 7 Jun 2017 146,943 miles

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

Fail 6 Jun 2017 146,942 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 10 Jun 2016 130,186 miles
Pass 31 Mar 2015 128,167 miles
Pass 23 May 2013 124,888 miles
Pass 18 May 2012 119,533 miles
Fail 18 May 2012 119,531 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm 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)

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)

Pass 17 May 2011 112,451 miles
Pass 11 May 2010 105,806 miles
Pass 27 May 2009 105,185 miles
Fail 22 May 2009 105,184 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 9 Oct 2007 101,936 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2006 98,565 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2005 94,404 miles
Fail 9 Sep 2005 94,389 miles

Brake lever has abnormal movement of levers indicating maladjustment (3.5.1f)

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

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

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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J170 GAU is a 1991 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 1991 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.4% with a typical mileage of 114,279 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 J170 GAU, 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 35 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 J170 GAU?

You can check the full history of J170 GAU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J170 GAU registered?

J170 GAU is a 1991 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J170 GAU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J170 GAU shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J170 GAU 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 J170 GAU. 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.