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J50 SWM

1991 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Nov 2026
Tests29 (16 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate55.2%

Mileage

128,305 mi
Last recorded128,305 miles
Recorded on1 Dec 2025
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

RegistrationJ50 SWM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1991
ColourRed
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

16 pass 13 fail
Pass 1 Dec 2025 128,305 miles

Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both wearing inner edges (195/50R15 (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Registration plate lamp insecure (4.7.1 (c) (i))

general corrosion to underside of vehicle and associated components

Pass 15 May 2024 122,558 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floors weld repairs and corrosion (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill areas (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Fail 15 May 2024 122,558 miles

Driver's airbag missing (7.1.5 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floors weld repairs and corrosion (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill areas (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Fail 22 Sep 2023 122,504 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength back of wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Lower Shock absorbers insecurely attached both sides bolts loose - captive nuts have come away from arms (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage likely to become detached bolts loose - no locking device has been used (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached all (6.1.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Front Exhaust mounting defective downpipe missing all nuts to manifold - rectify asap (6.1.2 (a))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component rack (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage about to burst replace asap (2.1.5 (a))

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

extensive corrosion to underside of vehicle, sills and suspension components. All suspension arm bushes in very poor condition

Fail 11 Aug 2023 122,460 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Macpherson strut mounting has an unsafe modification both top mount to shock nuts have been welded on (5.3.3 (c) (i))

Front Registration plate insecure hanging off (0.1 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn bush has fallen out (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect both (5.3.2 (d))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Coolant leak ()

Front Bumper mountings corroded but not likely to become detached (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component steering rack (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all upper and lower bushes in very poor condition (5.3.4 (a) (i))

aux belt about to snap

exhaust down pipe nuts missing

extensive corrosion to underside of vehicle and all associated components, sills will need attention in the near future

Pass 19 Jul 2022 118,193 miles

Nearside Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage At Rear Of Engine Bay (2.1.5 (a))

Temp Gauge Inop

Fail 19 Jul 2022 118,193 miles

Nearside Front Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury Wing Corroded (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage At Rear Of Engine Bay (2.1.5 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Temp Gauge Inop

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Fail 24 Jun 2022 118,109 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Power steering pipe/hose leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm inner edge (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm inner edge (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front wing corroded

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

general chassis/underbody corrosion

Fail 12 May 2022 117,311 miles

Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Both (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached Bolt Missing (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Road wheel fixing missing Wheel nut missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing & Worn (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Wing Corroded & Holed

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing & Worn (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 13 Aug 2021 149,605 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

under body corrosion and covered in under seal

Fail 6 Aug 2021 149,000 miles

Nearside Front Steering linkage fouling (2.1.4 (a))

Offside Obligatory mirror missing (3.3 (a))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front tyre over ten years old

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear tyre over ten year old

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front tyre over ten years old

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear tyre over ten years old

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

under body corrosion and covered in under seal

Pass 31 Jan 2017 134,538 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Jan 2016 125,716 miles

Mask/beam deflector fitted to O/S headlamp.

N/S/F and O/S/R tyres worn on inner edges.

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 28 Jan 2015 121,270 miles

offside outer bosysill is corroded

radiator coolant leak

Pass 7 Apr 2014 110,188 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2014 110,188 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 16 Apr 2013
Pass 11 Apr 2012 102,236 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 6 Apr 2012 102,223 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 4 May 2011 98,320 miles

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 4 May 2011 98,320 miles
Pass 19 Feb 2010 96,118 miles

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front and rear registration plates fading

front screen wipers slightly smearing

slight corrosion to both sills

slight play in steering rack

Pass 24 Feb 2009 93,456 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front wipers starting to smear

Pass 13 Sep 2007 91,258 miles

items as test 460085457270

Fail 12 Sep 2007 91,258 miles

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

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

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

front and rear inner brake pads getting thin.

walls on both rear tyres perishing.

Pass 23 Mar 2007 90,749 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2007 90,749 miles

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

Pass 27 Mar 2006 89,224 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2006 89,224 miles

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

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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J50 SWM is a 1991 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.2%.

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 J50 SWM, 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 J50 SWM?

You can check the full history of J50 SWM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J50 SWM registered?

J50 SWM is a 1991 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J50 SWM safe to buy?

The MOT history for J50 SWM shows 29 tests with a 55.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J50 SWM 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 J50 SWM. 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.