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N253 JLX

1996 Mazda MX-5

White Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Jun 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

84,653 mi
Last recorded84,653 miles
Recorded on21 May 2026
Typical for 1996 Mazda MX-586,097 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationN253 JLX
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1996
ColourWhite
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 21 May 2026 84,653 miles

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

Fail 8 May 2026 84,652 miles

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

Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength both rear inner arches (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 5 Jun 2025 83,463 miles
Fail 7 May 2025 83,462 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 6 Jun 2024 82,066 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 30 May 2024 82,035 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 2 Jun 2023 80,717 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2023 80,717 miles

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

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

Pass 24 May 2022 79,594 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated all four (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 6 May 2021 78,846 miles
Pass 26 May 2020 78,083 miles
Fail 21 May 2020 78,083 miles

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

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

Pass 2 May 2019 76,859 miles

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

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2018 73,770 miles

N/S/F brake slightly binding.

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

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

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

Pass 8 May 2017 70,422 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit 2-3mm and worn on inner edge (4.1.E.1)

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

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

Pass 4 May 2016 66,563 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2015 62,856 miles
Fail 30 Apr 2015 62,856 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 9 May 2014 59,433 miles
Pass 8 May 2013 54,889 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 7 May 2013 54,889 miles

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

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

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 30 Apr 2012 51,953 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 18 Apr 2011 48,903 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 22 Apr 2010 46,458 miles

noted front number plate damaged

Pass 28 Apr 2009 44,504 miles

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

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

Pass 7 May 2008 43,179 miles
Pass 3 May 2007 41,576 miles
Fail 2 May 2007 41,576 miles

Offside Rear Braking system leaking (3.6.A.1)

The bonnet hinges are "seized" and it does not close properly.

The off side and near side front tyre are wearing on the edges of the tread.

There is slight damage present on the front number plate.

Pass 5 May 2006 39,984 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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N253 JLX is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in White with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 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 N253 JLX, 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 N253 JLX?

You can check the full history of N253 JLX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N253 JLX registered?

N253 JLX is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 May 1996.

Is N253 JLX safe to buy?

The MOT history for N253 JLX shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N253 JLX 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 N253 JLX. 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.