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J773 JOU

1998 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Jul 2025
Tests33 (17 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate51.5%

Mileage

164,922 mi
Last recorded164,922 miles
Recorded on15 Jul 2025
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ773 JOU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
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 16 fail
Fail 15 Jul 2025 164,922 miles

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced INNER ARCH (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing (3.3 (a))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security INNER ARCH (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security INNER ARCH (6.2.2 (d) (i))

UNDER BODY COVERED IN UNDER SEAL

Pass 3 Jul 2024 164,876 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front drop link bushes splitting (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all 4 tyres cracked (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 30 May 2023 164,855 miles

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

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced inner sill, area marked yellow (6.1.1 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill, area marked yellow (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill/sill end, area marked yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill, area marked yellow (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner wheel arch/outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

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))

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres perishing and age dated 2009 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

vehicle under body covered in under seal

Pass 29 Jul 2021 164,638 miles

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides, bushes perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush lower shock absorber bushes both sides (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated hose also slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

vehicle underside covered in underseal

Fail 20 Jul 2021 164,626 miles

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis rail in 3 places, all marked yellow( anti roll bar mount, subframe mount& an inadequate repair) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Driver's door hinge deteriorated but the door can still be readily opened and closed (6.2.3 (c) (i))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides, bushes perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush lower shock absorber bushes both sides (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated hose also slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

vehicle underside covered in underseal

Pass 28 Jul 2020 164,428 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 29 Jul 2019 163,748 miles

Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 24 Jul 2019 163,747 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp lens defective such that emitted light is adversely affected (4.5.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 20 Jun 2019 163,743 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively twisted (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced improper repaire (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Rear fog lamp missing (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp switch missing (4.5.3 (a) (ii))

Obligatory mirror slightly loose repaired with tape (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

under side heavily corroding

Fail 3 May 2019 163,737 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill sub frame mounting area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill subframe mounting area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear inner sill corroded to excess and holed not in a prescribed area

Offside Rear inner sill corroded to excess and holed not in a prescribed area

Pass 22 Jan 2018 161,819 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Small Hole In Nearside Rear Inner Sill Panel

Fail 22 Jan 2018 161,819 miles

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Small Hole In Nearside Rear Inner Sill Panel

Pass 13 Jan 2017 160,120 miles

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

Fail 13 Jan 2017 160,120 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Dec 2015 156,954 miles

Offside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside Front sill corroded

Oil leak

battery loose

service brake efficiency near limit

slight leak power steering rack

Fail 17 Dec 2015 156,954 miles

Horn sounds harsh or grating (1.6.2e)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside Front sill corroded

Oil leak

battery loose

service brake efficiency near limit

slight leak power steering rack

Pass 12 Jan 2015 154,823 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Jan 2015 154,823 miles

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

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

Pass 29 Jan 2014 151,809 miles

body repairs to rear outer sills

both front (top & bottom ) ball joint covers deteriated

Fail 23 Jan 2014 151,809 miles

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)

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

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)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Rear registration plate character(s) laid out in an incorrect format (6.3.4f)

Rear registration plate character(s) not correctly formed (6.3.4b)

body repairs to rear outer sills

both front (top & bottom ) ball joint covers deteriated

Fail 25 Jan 2013 150,142 miles

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

Pass 25 Jan 2013 150,142 miles
Pass 7 Feb 2012 147,521 miles

both rear of outer sills are slightly corroded

Fail 30 Jan 2012 147,480 miles

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

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

both rear of outer sills are slightly corroded

Pass 8 Feb 2011 141,193 miles

rear discs worn

rear ends of sills corroded but not holed

Fail 22 Jan 2011 141,016 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

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

rear discs worn

rear ends of sills corroded but not holed

Pass 10 Feb 2010 137,569 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Jan 2010 137,569 miles

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

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

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

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

Pass 16 Jan 2009 133,789 miles

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

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

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

Fail 13 Jan 2009 133,664 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Feb 2008 129,576 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2007 126,073 miles

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

Pass 10 Feb 2006 121,127 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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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

J773 JOU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.5%.

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 J773 JOU, 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 J773 JOU?

You can check the full history of J773 JOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J773 JOU registered?

J773 JOU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 28 May 1998.

Is J773 JOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J773 JOU shows 33 tests with a 51.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J773 JOU 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 J773 JOU. 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.