CarVerify
CarVerify
Sign in Check a vehicle

Free Car Check

J944 NLM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1590cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires20 Mar 2019
Tests24 (13 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate54.2%

Mileage

310,937 mi
Last recorded310,937 miles
Recorded on21 Mar 2018
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 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

RegistrationJ944 NLM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,590cc
View full Mazda MX-5 reliability data Browse other 1997 Mazda MX-5 registrations

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

13 pass 11 fail
Pass 21 Mar 2018 310,937 miles

Oil leak ()

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

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All front and rear (2.4.G.1)

Welding undersealed

Fail 15 Mar 2018 310,871 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

All underside component s rusty

Oil leak ()

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

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All front and rear (2.4.G.1)

Fail 7 Mar 2018 310,825 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

Offside Front Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

All underside component s rusty

Oil leak ()

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

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened All front and rear (2.4.G.1)

Pass 17 Mar 2017 303,991 miles

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

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

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

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

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 3 Mar 2017 303,977 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

rear parking (secondary) brakes imbalanced (3.7.B.6b)

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

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

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

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

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 4 Mar 2016 297,807 miles

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

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

Fail 2 Mar 2016 297,768 miles

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Offside Front Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill/floorpan (5.2.6)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

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

Pass 6 Mar 2015 292,625 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

fuel cap seal has slight perishing

Fail 27 Feb 2015 292,547 miles

Brake pedal has no servo assistance (3.3.B.2)

Emissions not tested (7.3.A.1)

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

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

Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

fuel cap seal has slight perishing

Pass 3 Apr 2014 286,808 miles

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

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

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

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

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 3 Apr 2014 286,787 miles

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

Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

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

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

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

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

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 9 Apr 2013 282,733 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

slight corrosion on os and ns outer sills

slight corrosion on os and nsr chassiss

Fail 4 Apr 2013 282,665 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

slight corrosion on os and ns outer sills

slight corrosion on os and nsr chassiss

Pass 12 Mar 2012 275,421 miles

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

all coil springs corroded

engine oil leak

Fail 10 Mar 2012 275,416 miles

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

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

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

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

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

all coil springs corroded

centre exhaust shield loose

engine oil leak

Pass 28 Mar 2011 25,949 miles

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

engine oil leak

Fail 25 Mar 2011 259,249 miles

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

engine oil leak

Pass 8 Apr 2010 234,950 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2010 234,929 miles

Centre Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Nearside Front front brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Pass 30 Mar 2009 212,162 miles
Pass 31 Mar 2008 192,187 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2007 187,392 miles
Pass 3 Apr 2006 180,756 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2006 180,756 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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.

Get full report — £4.99 Single check — £9.99
£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

J944 NLM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,590cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.2%.

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 J944 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 J944 NLM?

You can check the full history of J944 NLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J944 NLM registered?

J944 NLM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 9 May 1997.

Is J944 NLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for J944 NLM shows 24 tests with a 54.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J944 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 J944 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.