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J949 XAJ

1991 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Jun 2027
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

189,326 mi
Last recorded189,326 miles
Recorded on8 Jun 2026
Typical for 1991 Mazda MX-5114,279 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ949 XAJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1991
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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 8 Jun 2026 189,326 miles
Fail 5 Jun 2026 189,310 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Oct 2024 189,275 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sub frame mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner and outer sill/floor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear tyre worn on inner

both rear wheel arches corroded

Pass 27 Oct 2023 181,292 miles

Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

both rear wheel arches corroded

offside floor/sill corroded

Fail 26 Oct 2023 181,281 miles

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

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

Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

both rear wheel arches corroded

offside floor/sill corroded

Pass 19 Oct 2022 176,564 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all four (5.3.3 (b) (i))

both rear wheel arches corroded

Fail 17 Oct 2022 176,564 miles

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

Offside 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 Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all four (5.3.3 (b) (i))

both rear wheel arches corroded

Pass 15 Oct 2021 169,420 miles

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Pass 30 Oct 2020 165,889 miles

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 26 Oct 2020 185,784 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 8 May 2019 159,220 miles
Pass 16 May 2018 152,644 miles
Fail 4 May 2018 152,632 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Pass 11 Apr 2017 149,728 miles
Fail 6 Apr 2017 149,728 miles

Nearside Front Front suspension has a suspension lower ball joint securing nut not locked (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Front suspension has a suspension upper ball joint securing nut not locked (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Steering locking device missing track rod end (2.2.C.1g)

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Front Steering locking device missing track rod end (2.2.C.1g)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chissis (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Pass 29 Mar 2016 140,011 miles

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

offside front seat belt frayed

Fail 23 Mar 2016 139,942 miles

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

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

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

offside front seat belt frayed

Pass 25 Mar 2015 134,020 miles

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

Pass 25 Mar 2014 130,835 miles

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Fail 25 Mar 2014 130,835 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Pass 28 Mar 2013 126,560 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2010 123,569 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

both front wishbones and front subframe slightly corroded

both outer sills slightly corroded

Pass 23 Sep 2009 121,198 miles

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

both front headlight reflectors starting to corrode

n/s/r chassis damaged

slightcorrosion on nearside front wing at bottom

Pass 7 Oct 2008 118,497 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

water pump leaking

Fail 23 Sep 2008 118,486 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

water pump leaking

Pass 11 Aug 2007 115,225 miles
Fail 10 Aug 2007 115,203 miles

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 31 Jan 2006 114,549 miles

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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J949 XAJ is a 1991 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 J949 XAJ, 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 J949 XAJ?

You can check the full history of J949 XAJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J949 XAJ registered?

J949 XAJ is a 1991 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J949 XAJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for J949 XAJ shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J949 XAJ 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 J949 XAJ. 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.