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M205 TAO

1995 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Aug 2027
Tests24 (13 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate54.2%

Mileage

97,897 mi
Last recorded97,897 miles
Recorded on31 Jul 2026
Typical for 1995 Mazda MX-590,940 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationM205 TAO
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1995
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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

13 pass 11 fail
Pass 31 Jul 2026 97,897 miles
Fail 27 Jul 2026 97,897 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Aug 2025 89,395 miles

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

Fail 11 Aug 2025 89,395 miles

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened various front / rear suspension components all corroded + both subframes (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Aug 2023 89,344 miles

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

front and rear subframes corroded

front and rear suspension components corroded

rear suspension bushes deteriorated

Fail 9 Aug 2023 89,344 miles

Front Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively o/s and n/s (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

front and rear subframes corroded

front and rear suspension components corroded

rear suspension bushes deteriorated

Pass 23 Aug 2019 89,067 miles

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

front and rear suspension bushes and gaitors slightly deteriorated

underside has general surface corrosion

Fail 16 Jul 2019 89,059 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arch area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel both sides (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (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 Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

front and rear suspension bushes and gaitors slightly deteriorated

parking brake performance low

underside body generally has surface corrosion

Pass 13 Jun 2014 88,804 miles

Oil leak

rear wheel arches have slight corrosion

shock absorber gaitors deteriorated

suspension components corroded

Fail 10 Jun 2014 88,804 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Oil leak

rear wheel arches have slight corrosion

shock absorber gaitors deteriorated

suspension components corroded

Fail 3 Aug 2012 88,299 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 3 Aug 2012 88,299 miles

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

Pass 12 Jul 2011 88,145 miles

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

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

front & rear suspension components corroded but not seriously weakend.

Fail 7 Jul 2011 88,144 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

front & rear suspension components corroded but not seriously weakend.

Pass 22 Jul 2010 87,693 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

rear earth lead broken under vehicle.

Fail 21 Jul 2010 87,692 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Oil leak

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

rear earth lead broken under vehicle.

Pass 27 Jul 2009 85,666 miles

engine cover fitted full inspection restricted

Fail 23 Jul 2009 85,665 miles

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

Front Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

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

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

engine cover fitted full inspection restricted

Pass 10 Jul 2008 83,678 miles

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

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

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

Non standard air filter fitted

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

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

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

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

Steering wheel covering loose

Fail 9 Jul 2008 83,678 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Non standard air filter fitted

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

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

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

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

Steering wheel covering loose

Fail 4 Jul 2008 83,643 miles

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Pass 28 Dec 2007 82,184 miles
Pass 16 Dec 2006 69,188 miles
Pass 20 Dec 2005 54,718 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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

M205 TAO is a 1995 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.2%.

Across all 1995 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.6% with a typical mileage of 90,940 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 M205 TAO, 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 31 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 M205 TAO?

You can check the full history of M205 TAO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M205 TAO registered?

M205 TAO is a 1995 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 5 May 1995.

Is M205 TAO safe to buy?

The MOT history for M205 TAO shows 24 tests with a 54.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M205 TAO 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 M205 TAO. 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.