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J958 NLM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires7 Aug 2026
Tests32 (20 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

167,881 mi
Last recorded167,881 miles
Recorded on7 Aug 2025
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

RegistrationJ958 NLM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

20 pass 12 fail
Pass 7 Aug 2025 167,881 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front and rear both side. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Coil spring corroded front and rear both side. (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both side. (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing front and rear both side. (5.3.2 (b))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front and rear both side. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Aug 2024 161,759 miles

some signs of corrosion

Pass 1 Aug 2023 155,708 miles

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

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

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

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

signs of corrosion and repair

wiper blades deteriorating

Fail 31 Jul 2023 155,698 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear at rear section (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

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

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

signs of corrosion and repair

wiper blades deteriorating

Pass 2 Aug 2022 147,032 miles

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

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

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

Pass 23 Jul 2021 144,449 miles

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

Offside Rear Outer sill corroded

Pass 20 Jul 2020 143,397 miles

Coil spring corroded All springs affected (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin Look low but visibility restricted (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Tyre heavily worn on inner edge & worn to 2/3mm (5.2.3 (e))

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

Rear suspension components corroded

Pass 29 Jul 2019 141,775 miles

Coil spring corroded All springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn to 2mm & smooth on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 29 Jul 2019 141,775 miles

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Rear fog lamp switch inoperative (4.5.3 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm also worn heavily on inner edge (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Coil spring corroded All springs (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn to 2mm & smooth on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 1 Aug 2018 139,191 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2018 139,173 miles

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Pass 18 Jul 2017 138,158 miles

Nearside bolts missing holding the exhaust to the gearbox/engine

Pass 25 Jul 2016 136,684 miles
Fail 25 Jul 2016 136,684 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 29 Jul 2015 135,004 miles
Pass 30 Jul 2014 132,765 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2013 131,205 miles
Fail 22 Jun 2013 131,196 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Fail 7 Jun 2012 128,781 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

clutch pipe chafing

signs of standing -some perishing and corrosion

Pass 7 Jun 2012 128,781 miles

clutch pipe chafing

signs of standing -some perishing and corrosion

Fail 2 Jun 2012 128,709 miles

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

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

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

Pass 15 Feb 2011 125,599 miles

clutch pipe chafeing?

signs of standing -minor perishing and corrosion

Fail 15 Feb 2011 125,592 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

clutch pipe chafeing?

signs of standing -minor perishing and corrosion

Pass 18 Feb 2010 123,652 miles

metal bnrake pipes deteriating esp offside front. signs of corrosion and standing. clutch hydraulic pipe appears damp.

Fail 18 Feb 2010 123,652 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

metal bnrake pipes deteriating esp offside front. signs of corrosion and standing. clutch hydraulic pipe appears damp.

Pass 13 Feb 2009 122,040 miles
Fail 13 Feb 2009 122,040 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 18 Feb 2008 119,447 miles
Fail 9 Feb 2008 119,397 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Steering system excessively rough (2.2.D.1)

Fail 25 Jan 2007 116,447 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

bolt missing form g/box bell housing

Pass 25 Jan 2007 116,447 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

bolt missing form g/box bell housing

Pass 1 Feb 2006 113,093 miles

child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

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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J958 NLM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 J958 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 J958 NLM?

You can check the full history of J958 NLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J958 NLM registered?

J958 NLM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 20 May 1997.

Is J958 NLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for J958 NLM shows 32 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J958 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 J958 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.