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J48 JWV

1998 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Mar 2027
Tests25 (14 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate56%

Mileage

224,199 mi
Last recorded224,199 miles
Recorded on26 Mar 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ48 JWV
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourBlue
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

14 pass 11 fail
Pass 26 Mar 2026 224,199 miles

underside is coated in underseal

Pass 24 Apr 2021 223,320 miles

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced underside (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 17 Apr 2021 223,318 miles

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

Offside Body panel likely to become detached (6.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced underside (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 2 Oct 2019 219,342 miles

Nearside Front Lower Daytime running lamp insecure (4.2.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 2 Oct 2019 219,342 miles

Nearside Front Lower Daytime running lamp insecure (4.2.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2018 210,304 miles

Exhaust mounting defective CENTRE SECTION (6.1.2 (a))

GENERAL UNDERBODY CORROSION

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material CENTRE MOUNTED ON FLOOR AS MARKED (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

REAR SUBFRAME SLIGHTLY CORRODED

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

SLIGHT CORROSION ON FUEL PIPE OFFSIDE MOUNTED ON FLOOR A S MARKED

Pass 22 Aug 2017 205,163 miles
Fail 16 Aug 2017 205,148 miles

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Pass 21 Jul 2016 197,003 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

exhaust mount broken

Fail 21 Jul 2016 196,975 miles

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

exhaust mount broken

Pass 27 Jul 2015 192,736 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.8mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2.6mm and nail in tread (4.1.E.1)

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

centre exhaust bracket poor condition

Fail 25 Jul 2015 192,736 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure inner sidewall 185/60x14 82h (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 1.8mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2.6mm and nail in tread (4.1.E.1)

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

centre exhaust bracket poor condition

Pass 29 Jul 2014 177,491 miles

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 23 Jul 2014 177,433 miles

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 25 Jul 2013 172,824 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

both front coil springs slightly corroded

corrosion to inner sills, floorpan and chassis rails

heavy corrosion to oofside outer sill

nearside front tyre worn low outer edge

Fail 15 Jul 2013 172,780 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) deteriorated, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

both front coil springs slightly corroded

corrosion to inner sills, floorpan and chassis rails

heavy corrosion to oofside outer sill

nearside front tyre worn low outer edge

Pass 14 Jul 2012 170,347 miles

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

corrosion to floorpans and chassis rails

Pass 14 Jul 2011 166,749 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

corrosion to floorpan

corrosion to front and rear suspension components

nearside front brake disc slightly pitted

Fail 13 Jul 2011 166,715 miles

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

corrosion to floorpan

corrosion to front and rear suspension components

nearside front brake disc slightly pitted

Pass 15 Jul 2010 164,542 miles

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

all front and rear suspension parts rusty but ok at time of test

Fail 15 Nov 2008 164,528 miles

Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

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

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

both side outer seals coroded

Pass 1 Sep 2007 164,285 miles

20% front brake inbalance at time of test †lower reading on o/s parking brake

heavy corrosion to front /rear suspension componants slight corrosion to front /rear brake /fuel pipes †front discs rusty †both rear brakes binding

Fail 20 Jul 2007 164,216 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

corrosion to both front metal brake pipes † †corrosion to suspension † †corrosion to outer sills and under rear wheel arch † †both front tyres on limits † †20% imbalance at front brakes

Pass 20 Jul 2006 162,976 miles
Fail 8 Jul 2006 162,892 miles

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

corrosion to edges of front discs †n/s/r disc in poor condition †corrosion to both inner and outer sill panels

heavy corrosion to front/rear suspension componants †corrosion to front brake pipes †corrosion to front/rear brake /fuel pipes

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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J48 JWV is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56%.

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 J48 JWV, 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 J48 JWV?

You can check the full history of J48 JWV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J48 JWV registered?

J48 JWV is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 13 February 1998.

Is J48 JWV safe to buy?

The MOT history for J48 JWV shows 25 tests with a 56% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J48 JWV 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 J48 JWV. 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.