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L604 XLM

1998 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires22 Jul 2026
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

215,952 mi
Last recorded215,952 miles
Recorded on18 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL604 XLM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

17 pass 10 fail
Fail 18 Jul 2026 215,952 miles

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Jul 2025 208,739 miles

Nearside Front Lower Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Sill corroded

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

Fail 2 Jul 2025 208,728 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Stone chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Sill corroded

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 4 Jul 2024 206,134 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Sill corroded

Pass 5 Jun 2023 204,712 miles
Pass 1 Jul 2022 204,613 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Small cracks (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Small chip in windscreen

Small cracks in fuel cap seal

Small patches of corrosion underneath vehicle

Fail 1 Jul 2022 204,613 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Small cracks (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Small chip in windscreen

Small cracks in fuel cap seal

Small patches of corrosion underneath vehicle

Pass 24 Jun 2021 204,474 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated Cracks in flexible brake hoses (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Small cracks in fuel cap seal

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Small patches of surface corrosion underneath vehicle (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 3 Jul 2020 201,665 miles
Fail 29 Jun 2020 201,663 miles

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 29 Mar 2019 200,664 miles
Pass 6 Apr 2018 198,075 miles
Fail 5 Apr 2018 198,071 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

rear brakes in poor condition

Fail 11 Nov 2016 198,041 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded wheel arch (5.2.6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

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

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

Offside Front door pillar corroded

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

both rear and offside front brake hose ferrules corroded

corrosion forming on offside and nearside chassis leg areas

front and rear brake discs pitted

offside and nearside front anti roll bar link bushes deteriorated

Pass 3 Jun 2015 192,257 miles

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

Fail 19 May 2015 192,222 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Rear fog lamp switch missing (1.3.1a)

Rear fog lamp tell tale missing (1.3.1b)

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

Pass 23 Apr 2014 186,074 miles
Fail 22 Apr 2014 186,074 miles

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

screw in n/s/r tyre

Pass 19 Apr 2013 175,562 miles

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 8 Apr 2013 175,542 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

Rear fog lamp switch faulty (1.3.1a)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 14 Mar 2012 174,664 miles

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

f/o/s brake pipe to hose corroding

slight oil leak

Fail 13 Mar 2012 174,664 miles

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

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

f/o/s brake pipe to hose corroding

slight oil leak

Pass 17 Feb 2011 172,391 miles

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

blow and deterioration on rear exhaust

corrosion on front brake disc inner faces

corrosion on offside front brake pipe to flex

corrosion on offside rear brake pipe to flex

front number plate delaminating

play in nearside front wheel bearing

stonechip in windscreen

Pass 11 Dec 2009 160,675 miles
Pass 4 Nov 2008 150,091 miles
Pass 3 Oct 2007 134,243 miles

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

Pass 27 Sep 2006 122,007 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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L604 XLM is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

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 L604 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 L604 XLM?

You can check the full history of L604 XLM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L604 XLM registered?

L604 XLM is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 25 September 1998.

Is L604 XLM safe to buy?

The MOT history for L604 XLM shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L604 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 L604 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.