CarVerify

Free Car Check

L481 UTU

1993 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1597cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

217,420 mi
Last recorded217,420 miles
Recorded on1 Apr 2026
Typical for 1993 Mazda MX-5111,855 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationL481 UTU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1993
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 10 fail
Pass 1 Apr 2026 217,420 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar mounting modified but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 8 Mar 2025 212,427 miles

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

Pass 15 Mar 2024 205,079 miles

Rear Gearbox mounting defective diff mounting corroded

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

Fail 11 Mar 2024 204,944 miles

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

Rear Gearbox mounting defective diff mounting corroded

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

Pass 4 Apr 2023 194,337 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (1.1.10 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Front seat harness fitted as well as seat belt

Pass 19 Mar 2022 186,406 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Pass 8 Apr 2021 179,139 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2020 171,084 miles
Pass 29 Mar 2019 170,651 miles
Fail 29 Mar 2019 170,651 miles

Nearside Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Pass 20 Mar 2018 169,714 miles
Pass 13 Jul 2016 169,124 miles
Fail 13 Jul 2016 169,124 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 11 Jul 2015 167,035 miles
Fail 2 Jul 2015 167,035 miles

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

Nearside Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

Nearside Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Fail 8 Jun 2015 166,956 miles

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 Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

all of underbody surface corrosion

both rear outer sills surface corrosion

rear subfame surface corrosion

Pass 30 May 2014 160,042 miles

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

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

Fail 15 May 2014 159,990 miles

Nearside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 15 May 2013 152,405 miles
Pass 16 May 2012 144,080 miles
Fail 16 May 2012 144,080 miles

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

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

Pass 31 Mar 2011 136,400 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2011 136,400 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Mar 2010 125,175 miles

Front nearside brake binding

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 27 Mar 2009 112,194 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 26 Mar 2008 102,129 miles
Fail 18 Mar 2008 102,107 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

Pass 5 Mar 2007 96,530 miles
Pass 2 Mar 2006 92,337 miles
Fail 2 Mar 2006 92,337 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)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

L481 UTU is a 1993 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1993 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.4% with a typical mileage of 111,855 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 L481 UTU, 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 33 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 L481 UTU?

You can check the full history of L481 UTU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L481 UTU registered?

L481 UTU is a 1993 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1993.

Is L481 UTU safe to buy?

The MOT history for L481 UTU shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L481 UTU 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 L481 UTU. 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.