CarVerify

Free Car Check

N197 JCA

1996 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Sep 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

98,856 mi
Last recorded98,856 miles
Recorded on12 Sep 2025
Typical for 1996 Mazda MX-586,097 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationN197 JCA
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1996
ColourRed
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

19 pass 13 fail
Pass 12 Sep 2025 98,856 miles

Coolant leak ()

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Underside has heavy surface corrosion but not excessive.

Underside heavily undersealed preventing a full inspection of some components

Fail 22 Aug 2025 98,856 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Underside heavily undersealed preventing full inspection of some components

Pass 13 Aug 2024 98,704 miles

Nearside Front Inner Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Inner Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced cill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 5 Sep 2023 98,697 miles

Nearside Front wing corner corroded and scabby

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

Underbody heavily covered in underseal making inspection hard

Fail 9 Aug 2023 98,697 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Pass 19 Aug 2022 98,763 miles

Underbody very dry and bad surface corrosion to some areas and components

Fail 12 Aug 2022 98,763 miles

Offside Front Body component corroded and likely to cause injury wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Underbody very dry and bad surface corrosion to some areas and components

Pass 25 May 2021 98,637 miles

Nearside Front Outer floor / sill corroded but not prescribed area

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside indicator tell tail light not working but audible clicking present

Fail 11 May 2021 98,640 miles

Front Registration plate missing (0.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer floor / sill corroded but not prescribed area

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside indicator tell tail light not working but audible clicking present

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened pitted (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 8 Jun 2020 98,637 miles

Car has been stood and brake disc bad surface corrosion

Nearside Rear wing/wheel arch poor condition

Underbody covered in anti corrosion spray making inspection hard

Pass 3 Jun 2019 98,522 miles

Car appears to have been stood and bad surface corrosion to brake discs

Offside Rear tyre nail in tread

Fail 29 May 2019 98,522 miles

Nearside Front Outer Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords wall/tread (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Car appears to have been stood and bad surface corrosion to brake discs

Offside Rear tyre nail in tread

Pass 7 Jun 2018 98,503 miles

Car appears to have been stood and bad surface corrosion to all brake discs

Fail 5 Jun 2018 98,503 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor /sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced wheel arch / sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor /sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Car appears to have been stood and bad surface corrosion to all brake discs

Pass 7 Jun 2017 98,469 miles

Car appears to have been stood , bad surface corrosion

Fail 5 Jun 2017 98,469 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid pipe split (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Car appears to have been stood , bad surface corrosion

Pass 1 Jul 2015 98,242 miles

\\underbody very dry , bad surface corrosion to some areas and components

Fail 24 Jun 2015 98,220 miles

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

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

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

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

\\underbody very dry , bad surface corrosion to some areas and components

Pass 2 Jul 2014 97,733 miles

Rear o/s outer sill bad surface corrosion and poor condition

Underbody very dry and bad surface corrosion to some areas and components

Pass 11 Jun 2013 96,931 miles

Front and rear brake discs in poor condition.

Offside front brake pipe to flexi slightly corroded.

Vehicle dry underneath.

Fail 7 Jun 2013 96,931 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Front and rear brake discs in poor condition.

Offside front brake pipe to flexi slightly corroded.

Vehicle dry underneath.

Pass 20 Jun 2012 96,791 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2012 96,781 miles

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

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

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

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

Rear n/s brake disc poor condition

Pass 6 Jun 2011 96,730 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

advise rear brake discs corroded

Pass 27 Apr 2010 93,785 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2009 87,741 miles

Note Windscreen Washers securing bracket corroided

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

Fail 23 Apr 2009 87,741 miles

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

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

Note Windscreen Washers securing bracket corroided

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

Pass 16 Feb 2008 83,639 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2008 83,638 miles

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

Pass 5 Apr 2007 82,944 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 19 Apr 2006 81,129 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Pass 19 Apr 2006 81,129 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

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

N197 JCA is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 1996 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.8% with a typical mileage of 86,097 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 N197 JCA, 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 30 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 N197 JCA?

You can check the full history of N197 JCA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N197 JCA registered?

N197 JCA is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 27 March 1996.

Is N197 JCA safe to buy?

The MOT history for N197 JCA shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N197 JCA 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 N197 JCA. 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.