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J1 DAK

1997 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires16 Apr 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

82,559 mi
Last recorded82,559 miles
Recorded on20 Mar 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ1 DAK
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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

19 pass 12 fail
Fail 20 Mar 2026 82,559 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension arm likely to become detached bolt loose in fore most bush (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear all rear suspension component bushes deteriorated

Rear suspension components corroded

Pass 17 Apr 2025 81,901 miles

Fuel lines corroded

Handbrake poor

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

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

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

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

Underside components corroded

Pass 2 Jun 2023 80,541 miles

fuel lines corroded

Pass 9 Apr 2022 80,536 miles

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

Fail 6 Apr 2022 80,536 miles

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

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

Pass 9 Apr 2021 76,780 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear brake pipes corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Rear subframe corroded

Fail 31 Mar 2021 76,777 miles

Front Macpherson strut mounting has an unsafe modification both bolts not properly through nut with nylon lock. (5.3.3 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Macpherson strut mounting likely to fail bolt slack (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Suspension component attachment bracket/mounting missing subframe bolt missing (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both front to rear brake pipes corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear subframe corroded

Pass 10 Dec 2019 76,104 miles

Exhaust corroded

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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded All pipes have slight corrosion ()

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Road spring corroded

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end boot slightly perished

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both 'D' bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Slight corrosion on inner boot floor pan

Fail 9 Dec 2019 76,103 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding Not allowing full inspection of wheel bearing (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust corroded

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

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

Front Oil leak, but not excessive Down the back of engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded All pipes have slight corrosion ()

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Road spring corroded

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end boot slightly perished

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both upper and lower arm bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both 'D' bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Slight corrosion on inner boot floor pan

Nearside Front Brake pad broken up

Pass 4 May 2019 76,056 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all brake discs corroded (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded all fuel pipes ()

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

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

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

Fail 2 May 2019 76,056 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases rear of catalytic converter (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired rear of outer sill panel repair patch not continuously welded (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced rear of inner sill panel (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced rear of outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all brake discs corroded (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes (1.1.11 (c))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded all fuel pipes ()

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

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

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

Offside Rear rear of outer and inner sill panels collapsed due to jacking on corroded area

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

Pass 14 May 2018 75,460 miles

o/s/r tyre wearing on edges

rear suspension bushes breaking up

both front & o/s/r wheel centre caps missing

brake pipes corroding

exhaust corroding

various suspension components corroding

Fail 14 May 2018 75,460 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

both front & o/s/r wheel centre caps missing

brake pipes corroding

exhaust corroding

o/s/r tyre wearing on edges

rear suspension bushes breaking up

various suspension components corroding

Pass 16 May 2017 74,646 miles

all coil springs corroding

brake pipes corroding

exhaust corroding & has a minor leak

front brakes corroding

fuel pipes corroding

oil leak

suspension components corroding

Fail 9 May 2017 74,636 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

all coil springs corroding

brake pipes corroding

exhaust corroding & has a minor leak

front brakes corroding

fuel pipes corroding

oil leak

suspension components corroding

Pass 10 May 2016 73,125 miles

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

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

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

all suspension components corroding

brake and fuel pipes corroding

chips in front windscreen

oil leak

outer sill panels corroding

Fail 11 May 2015 70,617 miles

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

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

Oil leak

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

all suspension components corroding

cracks in front windscreen

exhaust deteriorating

outer sill panels corroding

Pass 11 May 2015 70,617 miles

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

Oil leak

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

all suspension components corroding

cracks in front windscreen

exhaust deteriorating

outer sill panels corroding

Pass 15 May 2014 67,285 miles

all suspension bushes breaking up

brake pipes corroding

chips in front windscreen

exhaust deteriorating

front brake discs in poor condition

fuel pipes corroding

inner and outer sill panels corroding

rear brake discs in poor condition

suspension components corroding

underside of vehicle corroding

Fail 14 May 2014 67,285 miles

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

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1) DANGEROUS

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

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

all suspension bushes breaking up

brake pipes corroding

chips in front windscreen

exhaust deteriorating

front brake discs in poor condition

fuel pipes corroding

inner and outer sill panels corroding

rear brake discs in poor condition

suspension components corroding

underside of vehicle corroding

Pass 27 Apr 2013 65,066 miles

both front and n/s/r tyres worn low on inner edges

brake pipes corroding

cracks in front windscreen

Pass 14 May 2012 62,453 miles

brake discs corroding

brake pipes corroding

chips in front windscreen

exhaust deteriorating

outer sill panels corroding

Pass 6 May 2011 59,474 miles

both o/s brake discs corroding

chips in front windscreen

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 8 May 2010 56,558 miles

all brake discs corroding

n/s outer sill panel corroding

Fail 8 May 2010 56,558 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

all brake discs corroding

n/s outer sill panel corroding

Pass 8 May 2009 53,406 miles
Fail 8 May 2009 53,406 miles

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

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

Pass 6 May 2008 51,857 miles
Fail 6 May 2008 51,857 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 28 Oct 2006 48,754 miles
Pass 30 Aug 2005 45,079 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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J1 DAK is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 J1 DAK, 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 J1 DAK?

You can check the full history of J1 DAK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J1 DAK registered?

J1 DAK is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 5 March 1997.

Is J1 DAK safe to buy?

The MOT history for J1 DAK shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J1 DAK 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 J1 DAK. 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.