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J339 JOU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Sep 2026
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

69,171 mi
Last recorded69,171 miles
Recorded on17 Sep 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

RegistrationJ339 JOU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 17 Sep 2025 69,171 miles

Front Coil spring corroded n/s & o/s (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer floor to sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Integral body structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer floor to sill insufficiently welded (6.1.1 (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 16 Sep 2025 69,171 miles

Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt n/s & o/s (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

Front Coil spring corroded n/s & o/s (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer floor to sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Integral body structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced outer floor to sill insufficiently welded (6.1.1 (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 17 Sep 2024 66,195 miles

Most general suspension components are corroded

Fail 11 Sep 2024 66,191 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Most general suspension components are corroded

Pass 8 Sep 2023 65,415 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Sep 2022 65,024 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

vehicle has been stood

Fail 2 Aug 2022 65,007 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (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

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

surface corrosion to front and rear suspension components

vehicle has been stood

Pass 25 Aug 2021 62,686 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Central Rear Lamp not working

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

Nearside Park brake effort slightly low

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

Steering wheel finish starting to crack

Fail 23 Aug 2021 62,684 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded At end of pipe (1.1.11 (c))

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

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Central Rear Lamp not working

Coolant leak Radiator cap ()

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

Nearside Park brake effort slightly low

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

Steering wheel finish starting to crack

Pass 22 Jun 2020 61,552 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2020 61,550 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush likely to become detached detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 Jun 2019 58,579 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2018 55,785 miles

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

all 4 tyres perished

general underside corrosion

Fail 2 Jul 2018 55,783 miles

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

all 4 tyres perished

general underside corrosion

Pass 7 Jul 2017 53,193 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

general all round corrosion

Fail 4 Jul 2017 53,193 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded across axle (3.6.B.2c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

general all round corrosion

offside outer sill holed

Pass 14 Oct 2016 52,787 miles
Fail 10 Oct 2016 52,787 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill (5.2.6)

Pass 28 Sep 2015 49,880 miles

both sills corroded

rear brake pads getting low

Fail 28 Sep 2015 49,880 miles

Centre Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

both sills corroded

rear brake pads getting low

Pass 30 Sep 2014 46,135 miles
Fail 30 Sep 2014 46,135 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 2 Oct 2013 41,665 miles

N/s/f wheel bearing getting noisey

Pass 27 Sep 2012 36,697 miles

corrosion to n/s/f chassis

Pass 5 Dec 2011 36,684 miles

corrosion to n/s/f inner wheel arch

Fail 17 Jun 2010 34,273 miles

Centre Rear Upper Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 17 Jun 2010 34,273 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2009 32,192 miles
Fail 20 Jun 2009 32,192 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 25 Jun 2008 30,473 miles
Fail 23 Jun 2008 30,473 miles

Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

Pass 25 May 2007 28,761 miles

advise seperate fog light for rear of vehicle.

slight play in steering rack when on lock

Pass 3 Jun 2006 27,507 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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J339 JOU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

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 J339 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 J339 JOU?

You can check the full history of J339 JOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J339 JOU registered?

J339 JOU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 September 1997.

Is J339 JOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J339 JOU shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J339 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 J339 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.