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J796 JOU

1998 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Jan 2027
Tests25 (17 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate68%

Mileage

128,054 mi
Last recorded128,054 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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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ796 JOU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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 8 fail
Pass 19 Dec 2025 128,054 miles

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

Pass 6 Jan 2025 125,729 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Jan 2024 123,703 miles
Pass 12 Dec 2022 121,812 miles

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

Pass 13 Dec 2021 120,498 miles
Pass 4 Jan 2021 118,935 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2019 115,794 miles

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

Pass 6 Jul 2018 113,636 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

both inner and outer sills corroded

clutch pedal rubber worn

front and rear suspension arms corroded

rear sub frame corroded

slight oil leak

Fail 2 Jul 2018 113,636 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

both inner and outer sills corroded

clutch pedal rubber worn

front and rear suspension arms corroded

rear sub frame corroded

slight oil leak

Pass 16 Jun 2017 112,791 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

clutch pedal worn

front and rear suspension arms corroded

o/s and n/s inner and outer sills corroded

oil leak

Fail 2 Jun 2017 112,762 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

clutch pedal worn

front and rear suspension arms corroded

o/s and n/s inner and outer sills corroded

oil leak

Pass 18 Aug 2015 104,178 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2012 100,030 miles

All ball joint boots getting perished.

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

Slight blow heard exhaust manifold area.

Fail 9 Jul 2012 100,021 miles

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

All ball joint boots getting perished.

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

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

Slight blow heard exhaust manifold area.

Pass 8 Jul 2011 97,521 miles
Fail 8 Jul 2011 97,521 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 12 Jul 2010 93,341 miles

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

Fail 9 Jul 2010 93,317 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Jul 2009 88,911 miles
Fail 3 Jul 2009 88,907 miles

Offside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a) DANGEROUS

Additional reports listed on invoice number 70363

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

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

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 7 Jul 2008 85,425 miles

Clutch pedal rubber worn

O/S/F brake pipe rusty

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

Oil leak

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

Slight drag on o/s/r brake

Fail 1 Jul 2008 85,423 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

O/S/F brake pipe rusty

Clutch pedal rubber worn

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

Oil leak

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

Slight drag on o/s/r brake

Pass 14 Jun 2007 79,355 miles

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

Both auxillary belts perished

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

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

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

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

Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 15 Jun 2006 76,049 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Fail 15 Jun 2006 76,049 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

J796 JOU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68%.

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 J796 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 J796 JOU?

You can check the full history of J796 JOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J796 JOU registered?

J796 JOU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 12 June 1998.

Is J796 JOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J796 JOU shows 25 tests with a 68% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J796 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 J796 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.