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J986 JOU

1998 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 May 2027
Tests22 (15 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate68.2%

Mileage

175,854 mi
Last recorded175,854 miles
Recorded on13 May 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ986 JOU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
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

15 pass 7 fail
Pass 13 May 2026 175,854 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated all (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Fail 12 May 2026 175,854 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Nearside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Nearside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Brake hose slightly deteriorated all (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 May 2025 175,337 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated Nearside and Offside (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Pass 5 Apr 2023 173,108 miles
Pass 11 Feb 2022 170,054 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Showing general signs of age and lack of use (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 6 Mar 2020 168,984 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2018 167,462 miles

Front number plate just about readable

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 7 Jul 2017 165,749 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2016 164,399 miles

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

Fail 12 Oct 2016 164,384 miles

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

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 Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded chassis rail (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Pass 12 Aug 2015 162,163 miles

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

os steering rack weep

Fail 30 Jul 2015 162,163 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

os steering rack weep

osr tyre inner edge worn

Pass 29 Aug 2014 155,187 miles

suspension lowered

osr and nsr tyre inner edges worn

Fail 28 Aug 2014 155,187 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

osr and nsr tyre inner edges worn

suspension lowered

Pass 20 Aug 2013 146,230 miles

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

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

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

nearside rear tyre warn inner edge

Fail 19 Aug 2013 146,230 miles

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

Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

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

nearside rear tyre warn inner edge

rear shockers poor damping effort

Pass 16 Jun 2010 143,919 miles

brake pipes & sills corroded

Pass 11 Nov 2008 137,699 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Pass 25 Sep 2007 134,080 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

both rear brake discs rusty / worn

n/s/r outer sill rusty

o/s/f tyre wearing on inside edge

Fail 24 Sep 2007 134,042 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

both rear brake discs rusty / worn

n/s/r outer sill rusty

o/s/f tyre wearing on inside edge

Pass 13 Oct 2006 130,782 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2006 130,182 miles

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

surface rust to n/s outter sill

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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J986 JOU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.2%.

Across all 1998 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.9% with a typical mileage of 86,993 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 J986 JOU, 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 28 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J986 JOU?

You can check the full history of J986 JOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J986 JOU registered?

J986 JOU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 29 September 1998.

Is J986 JOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for J986 JOU shows 22 tests with a 68.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J986 JOU 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 J986 JOU. 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.