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J298 JOU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1498cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires10 Jul 2026
Tests25 (12 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate48%

Mileage

83,682 mi
Last recorded83,682 miles
Recorded on11 Jul 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 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

RegistrationJ298 JOU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,498cc

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

12 pass 13 fail
Pass 11 Jul 2025 83,682 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Jul 2025 83,682 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 28 Jun 2024 83,498 miles

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

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

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

Fail 8 Jun 2022 83,465 miles

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak full system (8.2.2.1 (b))

Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (8.1.1 (a))

Exhaust silencer insecure (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect both (4.1.2 (c))

Headlamp aim too low both front (4.1.2 (a))

Horn not working no horn unit found (7.7 (a))

Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting both rear outersills insuficient repairs (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Parking brake lever is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only (1.1.6 (f))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired both outer sill inadequate repairs to outer sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure and impairing directional stability ball joint split pin missing (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached ball joint loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached ball joint loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm insecure and impairing directional stability no split pin and loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm insecure and impairing directional stability no split pin and loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm insecure and impairing directional stability bolt loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Passenger compartment passenger compartment in such a condition that exhaust fumes lead to a danger to health of persons on board (6.2.1 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting likely to become detached front antiroll bar loose (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both front (1.1.12 (f) (i))

vehicle underside has been underseald

exhaust tail pipe protruding past bumper

Pass 21 Aug 2020 83,260 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (7.1.1 (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))

most suspension bushes worn/deteriorated

underneath of vehicle heavily corroded

Fail 10 Aug 2020 83,257 miles

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (7.1.1 (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))

most suspension bushes worn/deteriorated

underneath of vehicle heavily corroded

Pass 18 Apr 2018 83,169 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Rusty sills

Fail 18 Apr 2018 83,169 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Rusty sills

Fail 13 Jun 2017 83,134 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

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

Pass 28 Nov 2014 82,626 miles

Coolant leak

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 14 Nov 2014 82,598 miles

Emissions not tested (7.4.B.1)

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Horn control missing (1.6.1)

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

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

Coolant leak

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 1 Aug 2012 80,278 miles

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

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

Nearside Inner Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Offside Inner Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 26 Jul 2012 80,278 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Nearside Inner Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Offside Inner Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 22 Jul 2011 78,273 miles

Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 20 Jul 2011 78,270 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Front Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 20 Jun 2011 77,573 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Battery insecure

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar synthetic mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 22 Jun 2010 73,139 miles

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

body parts corroded

Fail 22 Jun 2010 73,138 miles

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

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

body parts corroded

Fail 21 Jun 2010 73,515 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 20 Jun 2009 66,492 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2009 66,415 miles

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

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

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

Pass 11 Jun 2008 57,912 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2008 57,887 miles

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

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

Pass 22 Jun 2007 48,435 miles
Pass 9 Jun 2006 44,192 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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J298 JOU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,498cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 48%.

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 J298 JOU, 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 J298 JOU?

You can check the full history of J298 JOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J298 JOU registered?

J298 JOU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 5 August 1997.

Is J298 JOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J298 JOU shows 25 tests with a 48% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J298 JOU 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 J298 JOU. 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.