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J388 SDV

1991 Mazda MX-5

Purple Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Jun 2027
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

136,036 mi
Last recorded136,036 miles
Recorded on25 Jun 2026
Typical for 1991 Mazda MX-5114,279 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationJ388 SDV
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1991
ColourPurple
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 25 Jun 2026 136,036 miles

Brake fluid close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge devoid of tread inside edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

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

wiper linkage worn and rubbing bonnet

Pass 19 May 2025 133,665 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inside edge (devoid of tread) (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inside edge (devoid of tread) (5.2.3 (e))

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

wiper linkage worn and rubbing bonnet

Pass 14 May 2024 129,914 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (devoid of tread) (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inside edge (devoid of tread) (5.2.3 (e))

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

wiper linkage worn and rubbing bonnet

Fail 13 May 2024 129,914 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits possibly due to exhaust leaking (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases centre rear silencer cracked and rear system holed (peppered) had several welding repairs already (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt inner boot split (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp goes out when brake applied (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (devoid of tread) (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inside edge (devoid of tread) (5.2.3 (e))

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

wiper linkage worn and rubbing bonnet

Pass 31 May 2023 121,195 miles

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

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Jun 2022 111,204 miles

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

Fail 10 Jun 2022 111,204 miles

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

Position lamp likely to become detached Both front insecure (4.2.1 (c) (ii))

Pass 8 Dec 2020 107,982 miles

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 12 Jun 2019 104,049 miles

Rear suspension arms corroding

Pass 6 Dec 2017 102,336 miles
Fail 28 Nov 2017 102,326 miles

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

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

Power steering component(s) leaking rack area (2.3.3b)

Pass 1 Nov 2016 101,160 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Fail 25 Oct 2016 101,145 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp to bright (1.1.A.3f)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Pass 6 Oct 2015 100,039 miles
Pass 7 Oct 2014 98,705 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2014 98,705 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d)

tyres starting to perish and crack

Pass 8 Oct 2013 97,366 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2012 95,617 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 27 Sep 2012 95,617 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 20 Sep 2012 95,595 miles

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake cylinder leaking hydraulic fluid (3.6.A.1)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2011 93,564 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2011 93,564 miles

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

Pass 15 Sep 2010 89,619 miles

No view through the rear window

Fail 13 Sep 2010 89,609 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

No view through the rear window

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2009 86,465 miles

both front tyres starting to perish

Fail 10 Sep 2009 86,465 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

both front tyres starting to perish

Pass 11 Sep 2008 84,644 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2007 82,095 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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J388 SDV is a 1991 Mazda MX-5 in Purple with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

Across all 1991 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.4% with a typical mileage of 114,279 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 J388 SDV, 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 35 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 J388 SDV?

You can check the full history of J388 SDV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J388 SDV registered?

J388 SDV is a 1991 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J388 SDV safe to buy?

The MOT history for J388 SDV shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J388 SDV 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 J388 SDV. 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.