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MLZ 121

1998 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Sep 2026
Tests21 (16 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate76.2%

Mileage

106,217 mi
Last recorded106,217 miles
Recorded on10 Sep 2025
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationMLZ 121
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
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

16 pass 5 fail
Pass 10 Sep 2025 106,217 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 8 Sep 2025 106,214 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 5 Sep 2024 103,406 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2023 101,480 miles
Pass 2 Mar 2022 99,683 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 13 Jan 2022 99,677 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Offside Front Driver's airbag missing (7.1.5 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2020 94,658 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2020 94,535 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel to the stop (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis holed and corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 3 Apr 2019 80,406 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2018 74,672 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2017 71,772 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2016 68,344 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2014 64,642 miles
Pass 29 Aug 2013 60,961 miles
Pass 13 Oct 2009 60,137 miles
Pass 14 Aug 2008 59,651 miles

damp at pipe.

under guards fitted, undersealing to body and suspension components, minor corrosion to brake flexi ferrules, rear exhaust bracket deteriorated, dip aim at limit.

Fail 13 Aug 2008 59,648 miles

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

under guards fitted, undersealing to body and suspension components, minor corrosion to brake flexi ferrules, rear exhaust bracket deteriorated, dip aim at limit.

Pass 8 Aug 2007 59,106 miles

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

Nearside Front Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 30 Jul 2007 58,984 miles

Nearside Brake hose twisted (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

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

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

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

Nearside Front Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 1 Aug 2006 55,878 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

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

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

Pass 2 Aug 2005 44,446 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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MLZ 121 is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.2%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 MLZ 121, 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 MLZ 121?

You can check the full history of MLZ 121 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MLZ 121 registered?

MLZ 121 is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is MLZ 121 safe to buy?

The MOT history for MLZ 121 shows 21 tests with a 76.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MLZ 121 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 MLZ 121. 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.