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N278 RNR

1996 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Nov 2026
Tests24 (15 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

130,139 mi
Last recorded130,139 miles
Recorded on8 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 Mazda MX-586,097 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationN278 RNR
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

15 pass 9 fail
Pass 8 Nov 2025 130,139 miles

exhaust close to fouling subframe insulated

Fail 2 Oct 2025 130,103 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting wheel arch (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting inner sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 8 Sep 2023 129,277 miles
Fail 7 Oct 2022 129,258 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Hydraulic fluid leaking excessively Power steering. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Rear belt mounting. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired Inner sill patch coming off. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Rear belt mounting. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Electrical wiring insulation slightly damaged or deteriorated Battery lead rubbing on body bracket. (4.11 (c) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Pass 26 Apr 2019 120,219 miles

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

Underbody corrosion

Pass 3 Jul 2018 114,784 miles
Fail 13 Jun 2018 114,784 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn link (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 12 Jun 2018 85,682 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Pass 17 Jun 2017 105,732 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2017 105,701 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 185/60/14 (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 185/60/14 (4.1.D.1a)

Pass 17 Jun 2016 98,455 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2016 98,455 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Pass 14 Aug 2014 95,718 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2014 95,718 miles

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 7 Sep 2013 91,339 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2012 85,339 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 2 Feb 2012 85,319 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 1 Feb 2011 79,133 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 26 Jan 2010 72,326 miles

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

Pass 3 Feb 2009 66,645 miles

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

Fail 29 Jan 2009 66,645 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 29 Jan 2008 64,144 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 27 Jan 2007 61,125 miles

all tyres perrished on side walls

Pass 30 Jan 2006 58,448 miles

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

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

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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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.

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N278 RNR is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 N278 RNR, 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 N278 RNR?

You can check the full history of N278 RNR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N278 RNR registered?

N278 RNR is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 12 February 1996.

Is N278 RNR safe to buy?

The MOT history for N278 RNR shows 24 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N278 RNR 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 N278 RNR. 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.