CarVerify

Free Car Check

J900 MXV

1996 Mazda MX-5

Purple Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jul 2026
Tests26 (16 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate61.5%

Mileage

171,842 mi
Last recorded171,842 miles
Recorded on19 Jul 2025
Typical for 1996 Mazda MX-586,097 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ900 MXV
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1996
ColourPurple
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc

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

16 pass 10 fail
Pass 19 Jul 2025 171,842 miles

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

slight play in o/s inner end of steering rack

Fail 15 Mar 2025 171,646 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested due to fluid leak (1.2.1 (g))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Inner tie rod play

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

Fail 23 Jan 2025 171,375 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

exhaust noisy

Pass 4 Jan 2024 157,427 miles

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

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

Fail 3 Jan 2024 157,427 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm 195/50/15 (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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 (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 26 Jan 2023 148,629 miles

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Fail 26 Jan 2023 148,618 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits lambda reading 1.80 (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 3 Dec 2021 147,784 miles

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Fail 3 Dec 2021 147,784 miles

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

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

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

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Pass 16 Dec 2020 143,840 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2020 143,831 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Pass 16 May 2019 137,535 miles

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

Pass 31 May 2018 135,222 miles
Pass 17 May 2017 133,169 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2016 132,411 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2016 132,411 miles

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

Pass 8 Jun 2015 131,694 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2015 131,694 miles

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

Pass 5 Jun 2014 130,038 miles
Pass 28 May 2013 127,894 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2012 126,459 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2011 124,892 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2010 123,744 miles

Oil leak

Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

front brake pads getting low

headlights have slight blue tint

interior mirror missing

lower sills covered

n/s/r brake disc rusty

o/s/r brake disc rusty

Fail 17 Aug 2010 123,736 miles

An item not tested (Manual)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Semaphore indicator switch faulty (1.4.C.1c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

front brake pads getting low

headlights have slight blue tint

interior mirror missing

lower sills covered

n/s/r brake disc rusty

o/s/r brake disc rusty

Pass 17 Jan 2008 122,232 miles
Fail 8 Jan 2008 122,218 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Offside Rear Body has a projection caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Rear fog lamp switch missing (1.3.1a)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

J900 MXV is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Purple with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.5%.

Across all 1996 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.8% with a typical mileage of 86,097 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 J900 MXV, 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 30 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 J900 MXV?

You can check the full history of J900 MXV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J900 MXV registered?

J900 MXV is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1996.

Is J900 MXV safe to buy?

The MOT history for J900 MXV shows 26 tests with a 61.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J900 MXV 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 J900 MXV. 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.