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L136 XLM

1998 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 Aug 2027
Tests25 (15 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

187,044 mi
Last recorded187,044 miles
Recorded on29 Jul 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 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

RegistrationL136 XLM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc

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 10 fail
Pass 29 Jul 2026 187,044 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2025 185,196 miles

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Fail 4 Aug 2025 185,073 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps (4.7.2 (a))

Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements (4.5.3 (a))

Front Registration plate insecure but not likely to fall off (0.1 (a))

Pass 15 Aug 2024 178,779 miles

Nearside Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 1 Aug 2024 178,656 miles

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

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 Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 22 Aug 2023 173,852 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement ALL FOUR (5.3.4 (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))

Fail 1 Sep 2022 173,825 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength complete seel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength complete seel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Shock absorbers likely to become detached (5.3.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Fail 19 Jun 2018 173,762 miles

Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 29 Jun 2017 171,187 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)

Fail 28 Jun 2017 171,184 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 2 Feb 2016 162,060 miles

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

Fail 26 Jan 2016 161,948 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Rear Outer 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)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 7 Nov 2014 152,063 miles

Centre stop lamp not working

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

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

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

Oil leak

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 27 Oct 2014 151,454 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Centre stop lamp not working

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

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

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

Oil leak

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 2 Jul 2013 129,816 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jul 2013 129,816 miles

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

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

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

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Jun 2012 112,644 miles

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

floor slight corrosion

Fail 28 May 2012 112,237 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

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

Offside Front front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

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

Rear registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct height (6.3.4a)

Rear registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct stroke width (6.3.4a)

Rear registration plate with character(s) which are not the correct width (6.3.4a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

floor slight corrosion

Pass 31 Mar 2011 107,528 miles

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

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.D.4)

rattle from inside rear exhaust box

Pass 27 Apr 2010 104,659 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 16 Mar 2009 102,966 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.D.2c)

Offside Front brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 11 Apr 2008 99,003 miles
Pass 10 Apr 2007 97,572 miles
Fail 19 Mar 2007 97,371 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2006 93,974 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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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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

L136 XLM is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

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 L136 XLM, 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 L136 XLM?

You can check the full history of L136 XLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L136 XLM registered?

L136 XLM is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 28 April 1998.

Is L136 XLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for L136 XLM shows 25 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L136 XLM 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 L136 XLM. 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.