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J471 HMV

1998 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Dec 2026
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

221,328 mi
Last recorded221,328 miles
Recorded on19 Dec 2025
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 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

RegistrationJ471 HMV
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 7 fail
Pass 19 Dec 2025 221,328 miles

Nearside wing arches and sill corroded

Pass 25 Nov 2024 210,177 miles

Exhaust blowing

Oil leak

Fail 12 Nov 2024 210,156 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Inner and outer sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Exhaust blowing

Oil leak

Pass 10 Nov 2023 191,393 miles

Nearside Front wing corroded away

Nearside front outer sill corroded (not a prescribed area)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Both inner sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both rear drop sills and outer sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

both front floors corroded (not within prescribed area)

Fail 30 Oct 2023 191,367 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Front wing corroded away

Nearside front outer sill corroded (not a prescribed area)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Both inner sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both rear drop sills and outer sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

both front floors corroded (not within prescribed area)

Pass 13 Oct 2022 180,979 miles

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

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

advise corrosion to vehicle structure,

Pass 18 Oct 2021 172,401 miles

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Wing (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Sils (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 14 Oct 2021 172,362 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

Offside Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front wing corroded

Nearside Rear wheel arch starting to corrode

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view multiple chips (3.2 (a) (i))

fixed position bucket seats

general corrosion to underside of vehicle

Pass 6 Oct 2020 165,499 miles

advise front wings have corrosion.

Fail 24 Sep 2020 165,499 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

advise front wings have corrosion.

Pass 27 Aug 2019 154,059 miles
Pass 21 Aug 2018 145,784 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2017 139,379 miles

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

Pass 8 Aug 2016 132,722 miles

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

Pass 21 Jul 2015 127,731 miles
Fail 20 Jul 2015 127,731 miles

Centre Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Fail 7 Jul 2015 127,689 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Headlamps matched pair are not the same shape (1.7.6)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Pass 30 Jun 2014 123,795 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 3 Jul 2013 118,166 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jul 2012 112,140 miles

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

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

Pass 29 Jun 2011 109,527 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2010 106,487 miles

n/s and o/s sills corroded

Pass 19 May 2009 197,735 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 19 May 2009 197,680 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth (3.3.A.1b)

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

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 14 May 2008 190,884 miles

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

Pass 9 May 2007 184,824 miles

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

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

Pass 28 Apr 2006 176,682 miles

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

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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J471 HMV is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 J471 HMV, 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 J471 HMV?

You can check the full history of J471 HMV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J471 HMV registered?

J471 HMV is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 20 April 1998.

Is J471 HMV safe to buy?

The MOT history for J471 HMV shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J471 HMV 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 J471 HMV. 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.