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J879 XFS

1991 Mazda MX-5

White Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Oct 2026
Tests31 (15 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate48.4%

Mileage

263,432 mi
Last recorded263,432 miles
Recorded on10 Oct 2025
Typical for 1991 Mazda MX-5114,279 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ879 XFS
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1991
ColourWhite
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

15 pass 16 fail
Pass 10 Oct 2025 263,432 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 9 Oct 2025 263,432 miles

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

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 18 Sep 2025 263,432 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Rear reflector missing (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 9 Oct 2024 256,991 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Fail 26 Sep 2024 256,991 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Pass 4 Sep 2023 252,590 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Sill corroded

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

Fail 28 Jul 2023 252,589 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear inner sill corroded

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

Pass 27 Jul 2022 251,000 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 21 Jul 2022 250,998 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 8.459 (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Hazard warning lamps inoperative front and back go off (4.4.1 (e))

Nearside Front Position lamp missing (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp missing (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Jul 2021 248,320 miles

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

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

Nearside side mirror missing

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

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

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

Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

undertray not fully secure

Fail 12 Jul 2021 248,319 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside side mirror missing

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

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

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

Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Undertray not fully secure (8.1.1 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Oct 2017 248,314 miles

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

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

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

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

Front coil spring corroded offside & nearside (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

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

Nearside mirror missing

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

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

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced cracked (1.7.5a)

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

Offside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively more than slight (3.7.B.3)

Oil leak ()

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside & nearside more than slight (5.2.6)

exhaust system deteriorated

Pass 28 Jun 2016 243,531 miles

Front coil spring corroded offside & nearside (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced cracked (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

Oil leak ()

Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside & nearside (5.2.6)

exhaust system mounting deteriorated / heat shield deteriorated

Fail 23 Jun 2016 243,531 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage fractured (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red showing white light(taped) (1.3.2e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front coil spring corroded offside & nearside (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced cracked (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear Outer Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

Oil leak ()

Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive offside & nearside (5.2.6)

exhaust system mounting deteriorated / heat shield deteriorated

Pass 21 Apr 2015 229,510 miles

Oil leak

Slight damage O/S/F wing no sharpe edges.

Fail 15 Apr 2015 229,510 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Oil leak

Slight damage O/S/F wing no sharpe edges.

Pass 13 May 2013 224,967 miles

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

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

Oil leak

offside front wing damaged

Fail 8 May 2013 224,954 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

offside front wing damaged

Pass 16 May 2012 216,269 miles

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

advise brake inspection

exhaust heat shields insecure

offside front wing damaged

Fail 9 May 2012 216,259 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

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

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

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

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

exhaust heat shields insecure

offside front wing damaged

Pass 5 May 2011 202,524 miles

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

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

Fail 28 Apr 2011 202,463 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 May 2010 194,677 miles

both front tyres close to limit , advise replacements, worn inner edges.....

light under body corrosion....

long hand brake lever travel.....

Fail 7 May 2010 194,677 miles

Front registration plate with character(s) which are not of equal width along their entire length (6.3.4a)

both front tyres close to limit , advise replacements, worn inner edges.....

light under body corrosion....

long hand brake lever travel.....

Pass 11 May 2009 188,785 miles

general light under body corrosion......

Fail 6 May 2009 188,776 miles

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

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

general light under body corrosion......

o/s/r coil spring corroding....

Pass 26 Apr 2008 184,580 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2007 173,392 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Pass 18 Apr 2007 173,392 miles
Pass 2 May 2006 162,403 miles
Fail 2 May 2006 162,403 miles

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (1.3.2e)

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

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.

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J879 XFS is a 1991 Mazda MX-5 in White with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 48.4%.

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 J879 XFS, 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 J879 XFS?

You can check the full history of J879 XFS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J879 XFS registered?

J879 XFS is a 1991 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J879 XFS safe to buy?

The MOT history for J879 XFS shows 31 tests with a 48.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J879 XFS 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 J879 XFS. 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.