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P21 GKO

1996 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Sep 2026
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

143,748 mi
Last recorded143,748 miles
Recorded on16 Sep 2025
Typical for 1996 Mazda MX-586,097 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP21 GKO
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1996
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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

18 pass 9 fail
Pass 16 Sep 2025 143,748 miles

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

Front And Rear Fubframe Corroded

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective Both Front Wipers (3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn On Inside Edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Outer And Inner Sills Corroded (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Side repeater slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Rear Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Worn On Inside Edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Outer And Inner Sills Corroded (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 17 Sep 2024 135,610 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2023 128,386 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

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

Pass 5 Aug 2022 127,198 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2022 127,194 miles

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 4 May 2022 127,179 miles

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

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement BOTH SIDES (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement BOTH SIDES (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 4 May 2021 119,218 miles

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

Pass 6 May 2020 118,757 miles

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

Pass 7 Apr 2018 117,094 miles

corrosion & slight blow on exhaust rear box

corrosion on n/s/f floor

Pass 18 Apr 2017 115,825 miles

complete underside of vehicle undersealed

corrosion front and rear sub frames and suspension

repairs to n/s and o/s floor to sills

repairs to sills and undersills

Fail 12 Apr 2017 115,781 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor to sill(yellow chalk) (2.4.A.3)

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

complete underside of vehicle undersealed

corrosion front and rear sub frames and suspension

repairs to n/s and o/s floor to sills

repairs to sills and undersills

Pass 12 Apr 2016 115,060 miles

complete underside undersealed

corrosion front and rear sub frames and suspension

corrosion on exhaust

repairs to n/s and o/s floor to sills

repairs to sills and undersills

Fail 9 Apr 2016 115,059 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded undersill/floor to sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded undersill/floor to sill (2.4.A.3)

complete underside undersealed

corrosion front and rear sub frames and suspension

corrosion on exhaust

repairs to n/s and o/s floor to sills

Pass 27 Mar 2015 113,763 miles

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

Oil leak

UNDERSEALED

Pass 16 Apr 2014 111,438 miles

HEAVILY UNDERSEALED

Oil leak

Fail 12 Apr 2014 111,413 miles

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

ALL TYREWALL PERISHED

HEAVILY UNDERSEALED

Oil leak

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

Pass 8 Feb 2013 106,885 miles

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

all tyres perished

Fail 30 Jan 2013 106,870 miles

Nearside Front Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Offside Front Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

all tyres perished

Pass 25 Jan 2012 104,939 miles
Fail 16 Jan 2012 104,939 miles

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

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Pass 22 Jul 2010 98,602 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2009 92,198 miles

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

Fail 16 Jan 2009 92,198 miles

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

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

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

Fail 17 Jan 2008 90,837 miles

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

Pass 17 Jan 2008 90,837 miles
Pass 16 Jan 2007 89,515 miles

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

Pass 10 Jan 2006 86,442 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Lower Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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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P21 GKO is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 P21 GKO, 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 P21 GKO?

You can check the full history of P21 GKO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P21 GKO registered?

P21 GKO is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1996.

Is P21 GKO safe to buy?

The MOT history for P21 GKO shows 27 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P21 GKO 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 P21 GKO. 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.