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K20 ELE

1996 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Oct 2026
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

165,349 mi
Last recorded165,349 miles
Recorded on24 Oct 2025
Typical for 1996 Mazda MX-586,097 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationK20 ELE
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1996
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 24 Oct 2025 165,349 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement and offside front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material and offside front (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement and offside rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower wing has corrosion

Offside Front Seat belt: retracting mechanism housing slightly worn but secure

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Fail 13 Oct 2025 165,348 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement and offside front (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material and offside front (1.1.11 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement and offside rear (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Lower wing has corrosion

Offside Front Seat belt: retracting mechanism housing slightly worn but secure

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge + wearing outer edge 185/60r14 (5.2.3 (e))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened

Pass 29 Jun 2024 165,098 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Jun 2023 164,704 miles

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

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 disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 26 Jun 2023 164,704 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 1 Jul 2022 164,126 miles
Fail 1 Jul 2022 164,126 miles

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 26 Jun 2021 163,730 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2020 163,703 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2020 163,703 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 6 Jul 2019 163,662 miles

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

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

Pass 7 Jul 2018 162,727 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 10 Jul 2017 161,781 miles

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

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

Fail 6 Jul 2017 161,770 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Jul 2015 160,488 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component 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)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

nearside front inner sill hole but not withhin any pescribed area

nearside rear wheel has slight bind

offside front inner sill hole but not withhin any pescribed area

Pass 16 Jul 2014 158,154 miles

all vuderside corroding

Fail 3 Jul 2014 158,131 miles

Power steering fluid level below minimum (2.3.1)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)

all vuderside corroding

Pass 8 Jul 2013 156,363 miles
Fail 14 Jun 2012 155,529 miles

Offside Front Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

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

Pass 14 Jun 2012 155,529 miles

Offside Front Power steering ram(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 29 Jun 2011 153,120 miles

o/s outer sill rusty

Fail 7 Jun 2011 153,112 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the right. (1.8)

Nearside Outer Front 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)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 15 Jun 2010 147,423 miles

both rear outer sill rusty

o/s/f tyre wearing on edges

Fail 15 Jun 2010 147,423 miles

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

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

both rear outer sill rusty

o/s/f tyre wearing on edges

Pass 17 Jun 2009 137,234 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Offside Outer Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Fail 15 Jun 2009 137,234 miles

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Offside Outer Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

o/s/f tyre perishing

Fail 11 Jun 2008 122,191 miles

Front Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

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

Outer Lower Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

o/s/r tyre has surface crack in rubber.

Pass 11 Jun 2008 122,191 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Outer Lower Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

o/s/r tyre has surface crack in rubber.

Pass 5 Jun 2007 102,300 miles
Pass 7 Jun 2006 86,315 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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K20 ELE is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

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 K20 ELE, 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 K20 ELE?

You can check the full history of K20 ELE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was K20 ELE registered?

K20 ELE is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1996.

Is K20 ELE safe to buy?

The MOT history for K20 ELE shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does K20 ELE 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 K20 ELE. 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.