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J310 JOU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires25 Nov 2025
Tests20 (12 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

246,219 mi
Last recorded246,219 miles
Recorded on26 Nov 2024
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ310 JOU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

12 pass 8 fail
Pass 26 Nov 2024 246,219 miles

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

Front subframe corroded

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

Rear lower arm bushes worn

Rear subframe corroded

Fail 22 Nov 2024 246,215 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

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

Front subframe corroded

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

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

Rear lower arm bushes worn

Rear subframe corroded

Pass 6 Apr 2023 245,730 miles

Central Rear Fuel line rusty

Underside of car showing signs of rust

Fail 25 Mar 2023 245,628 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Central Rear Fuel line rusty

Offside Rear Seatbelt area rusted in wheel arch

Underside of car showing signs of rust

Nearside Rear Seatbelt rusted in wheel arch

Pass 26 Jan 2022 244,569 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases box. (6.1.2 (a))

chassis & under side welded in several places.

front & rear sub frams & suspension very rusty.

fuel pipe at rear rusty.

under trays fitted.

Fail 20 Jan 2022 244,569 miles

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn "d" bush. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn "d" bush. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Inner Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm edge. (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases box. (6.1.2 (a))

chassis & under side welded in several places.

front & rear sub frams & suspension very rusty.

fuel pipe at rear rusty.

under trays fitted.

Pass 11 Jan 2021 243,125 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear brake readings low

Pass 22 Jul 2019 240,433 miles

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

rear discs rusty worn & pitted.

Fail 11 Jul 2019 240,431 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high (8.2.1.2 (e))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis leg. (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Driver's seat with a defective structure floor in 2 places. (6.2.5 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

rear discs rusty worn & pitted.

Pass 20 Jul 2018 238,292 miles

Nearside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted rim (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

diff has an oil leak

under side welded in several places

Fail 9 Jul 2018 238,276 miles

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Road wheel slightly distorted rim (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

diff has an oil leak

under side welded in several places

Pass 11 Jul 2017 235,788 miles

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

child seat fitted to n/s/front seat.

front and rear suspension components rusty.

under side weld in several places.

Fail 11 Jul 2017 235,788 miles

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

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

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

child seat fitted to n/s/front seat.

front and rear suspension components rusty.

under side weld in several places.

Pass 5 Jul 2016 232,253 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Fail 4 Jul 2016 232,251 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 23 Jun 2015 228,632 miles

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

Front and rear brake pipes slightly corroded

Sills rusty

Pass 21 Jun 2014 224,695 miles

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

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

corrosion front offside and front nearside chassis

corrosion rear offside and rear nearside outer sills

slight bulge in front offside tyre outer sidewall

Fail 19 Jun 2014 224,695 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.D.2c)

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

corrosion front offside and front nearside chassis

corrosion rear offside and rear nearside outer sills

slight bulge in front offside tyre outer sidewall

Pass 9 Dec 2010 210,864 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2007 204,581 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

J310 JOU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 J310 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 J310 JOU?

You can check the full history of J310 JOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J310 JOU registered?

J310 JOU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is J310 JOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J310 JOU shows 20 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 J310 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 J310 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.