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J357 TVS

1998 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Jun 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

258,802 mi
Last recorded258,802 miles
Recorded on5 Jun 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ357 TVS
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,597cc

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 9 fail
Pass 5 Jun 2026 258,802 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Jun 2026 258,797 miles

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

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

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

Pass 23 May 2025 257,297 miles

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

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

Fail 23 May 2025 257,297 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively twisted rubbing on tyre on full left lock (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 8 Jun 2024 256,238 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 23 Jun 2023 254,957 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced NSR sill/wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 14 Dec 2021 254,926 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Dec 2020 253,664 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 10 Dec 2020 253,638 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 25 Jun 2019 252,957 miles

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

Pass 18 May 2018 251,993 miles

Oil leak

Fail 14 May 2018 251,993 miles

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the light source so that the light output is severely reduced very dull on dip and main beam (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

Pass 26 Apr 2017 250,053 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2016 248,094 miles
Fail 21 Apr 2016 248,078 miles

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

Pass 24 Apr 2015 246,813 miles

Oil leak

slight play at n/s front wheel (let develop)

Pass 26 Apr 2014 243,479 miles

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

Oil leak

n/s screen wash part blocked

o/s rear tyre low on pressure

Fail 22 Apr 2014 243,479 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

n/s screen wash part blocked

o/s rear tyre low on pressure

Pass 21 Mar 2013 241,701 miles
Pass 27 Feb 2012 239,243 miles

Rearfog lamp useing eye level stop lamp

Fail 21 Feb 2012 239,218 miles

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

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

Offside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

Rearfog lamp useing eye level stop lamp

Pass 25 Feb 2011 23,165 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2011 231,644 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 24 Mar 2010 228,509 miles
Pass 25 Mar 2009 225,562 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2008 221,384 miles

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

Pass 14 Apr 2007 205,115 miles

BOTH Front Tyres worn to 3mm, and starting to perish.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 20 Apr 2006 185,160 miles
Fail 13 Apr 2006 185,137 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

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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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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J357 TVS is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

Across all 1998 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.9% with a typical mileage of 86,993 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 J357 TVS, 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 28 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J357 TVS?

You can check the full history of J357 TVS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J357 TVS registered?

J357 TVS is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 April 1998.

Is J357 TVS safe to buy?

The MOT history for J357 TVS shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J357 TVS 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 J357 TVS. 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.