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J601 NLJ

1991 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Jun 2027
Tests29 (17 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate58.6%

Mileage

224,042 mi
Last recorded224,042 miles
Recorded on8 Jun 2026
Typical for 1991 Mazda MX-5114,279 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ601 NLJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1991
ColourSilver
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

17 pass 12 fail
Pass 8 Jun 2026 224,042 miles

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Fail 8 Jun 2026 224,042 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Pass 20 Jun 2025 217,409 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 20 Jun 2025 217,409 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

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

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Lower Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 18 Oct 2022 216,286 miles

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

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

Fail 13 Oct 2022 216,283 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

Lower Steering column universal joint has slight wear or play (2.2.2 (c))

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

Pass 17 Aug 2021 214,199 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge ON LIMIT (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge ON LIMIT (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 9 Sep 2020 207,267 miles

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

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

Pass 20 Aug 2019 199,999 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2019 199,999 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 18 Jul 2018 188,661 miles

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

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

Fail 11 Jul 2018 188,660 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded x2 (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 24 Jun 2015 180,931 miles

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

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

Fail 10 Mar 2015 180,889 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Pass 14 Jan 2014 170,377 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Oil leak

Rear fog lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.3.2b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside front brake disc corroded

nearside mirror missing

nearside rear brake disc corroded

offside front brake disc corroded

offside rear brake disc corroded

offside rear spring corroded

Fail 13 Jan 2014 170,372 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

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

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

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

Oil leak

Rear fog lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.3.2b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

nearside front brake disc corroded

nearside mirror missing

nearside rear brake disc corroded

offside front brake disc corroded

offside rear brake disc corroded

offside rear spring corroded

Pass 13 Nov 2012 165,472 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 7 Nov 2012 165,345 miles

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 15 Nov 2011 160,187 miles

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

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

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

Rear fog light red light faded

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 15 Nov 2011 160,187 miles

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Rear fog light red light faded

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 16 Nov 2010 154,654 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

nsr sill box end inner rusty

slight brake bind nsf

Pass 16 Nov 2009 148,943 miles

Front registration plate deteriorating

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

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Fail 16 Nov 2009 148,943 miles

Front registration plate deteriorating

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Fail 13 Nov 2008 142,448 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp slightly discoloured (1.3.2e)

Both offside tyres inner side walls cut

Pass 13 Nov 2008 142,448 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp slightly discoloured (1.3.2e)

Both offside tyres inner side walls cut

Pass 20 Nov 2007 136,799 miles

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Nearside front brake binding slightly.

Nearside front tyre inner side wall cut.

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 20 Nov 2007 136,799 miles

Nearside front brake binding slightly.

Nearside front tyre inner side wall cut.

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 21 Nov 2006 131,128 miles
Pass 28 Nov 2005 125,439 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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J601 NLJ is a 1991 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.6%.

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 J601 NLJ, 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 J601 NLJ?

You can check the full history of J601 NLJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J601 NLJ registered?

J601 NLJ is a 1991 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J601 NLJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for J601 NLJ shows 29 tests with a 58.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J601 NLJ 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 J601 NLJ. 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.