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J875 NLM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 May 2027
Tests26 (14 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate53.8%

Mileage

136,649 mi
Last recorded136,649 miles
Recorded on7 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ875 NLM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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 12 fail
Pass 7 May 2026 136,649 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2024 132,200 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All brake pipes greased inspection limited (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened lower and upper (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 18 Nov 2024 132,181 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

Power steering component leaking Rack area (2.1.5 (a))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All brake pipes greased inspection limited (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Lower and Upper (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 13 May 2019 131,737 miles

Central Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Nov 2017 125,304 miles
Fail 10 Nov 2017 125,304 miles

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear high level stop light not working

Pass 21 Nov 2016 121,137 miles

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

brake pipes slightly corroded

nearside and offside rear inner sills corroded

rear brake discs and pads wearing thin

signs of a engine oil leak

Fail 16 Nov 2016 121,137 miles

Brake performance not tested due to worn out brakes (3.7.A.1)

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

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

brake pipes slightly corroded

front brake discs corroded/pitted/scored

nearside and offside rear inner sills corroded

rear brake discs and pads wearing thin

signs of a engine oil leak

Pass 5 Nov 2015 113,326 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Nov 2015 113,326 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 1 Oct 2014 99,421 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 1 Oct 2014 99,420 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 17 Oct 2013 86,921 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2013 86,917 miles

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (7.3.A.2c)

Horn control insecure (1.6.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 13 Sep 2012 76,564 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2012 76,564 miles

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2011 65,562 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2010 65,215 miles

Accessory brake lamp not working

Pass 18 Sep 2009 64,836 miles

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

nearside and offside front brake discs scored and rusted around edges.

nearside and offside front wings around wheel arches damaged.

nearside front tyre cracked outer and inner edge in tread.

offside rear inner seal started to corrode.

Fail 15 Sep 2009 64,836 miles

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

Centre Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Horn control insecure (1.6.1)

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 4 Sep 2008 63,362 miles

Front and rear brake disc rusty

Fail 4 Aug 2008 63,361 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 24 Jul 2007 63,309 miles

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

Fail 23 Jul 2007 63,309 miles

Horn control missing (1.6.1)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

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

Pass 31 Jul 2006 62,923 miles

n\s front tyre wall split

Fail 29 Jul 2006 62,923 miles

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

n\s front tyre wall split

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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J875 NLM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.8%.

Across all 1997 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.7% with a typical mileage of 85,711 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 J875 NLM, 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 29 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 J875 NLM?

You can check the full history of J875 NLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J875 NLM registered?

J875 NLM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 25 March 1997.

Is J875 NLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for J875 NLM shows 26 tests with a 53.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J875 NLM 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 J875 NLM. 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.