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P490 AFX

1996 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 May 2027
Tests27 (18 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

100,189 mi
Last recorded100,189 miles
Recorded on14 Apr 2026
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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP490 AFX
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1996
ColourBlack
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

18 pass 9 fail
Pass 14 Apr 2026 100,189 miles

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

Nearside Sill corroded

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

Fail 14 Apr 2026 100,189 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Sill corroded

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

Pass 6 May 2025 99,274 miles
Pass 25 Apr 2024 97,536 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front slight corrosion to lower wing

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 26 Apr 2023 96,427 miles
Pass 10 May 2022 94,842 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 5 May 2022 94,840 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

Offside Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 29 Jan 2020 91,590 miles

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

Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Both NSR and OSR (5.3.2 (b))

Fail 9 Jan 2020 91,084 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded cross over (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Both rear outer sills (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect Both rear (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 23 Jan 2019 83,744 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2019 83,723 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached RETAINING PIN MISSING (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached RETAINING PIN MISSING (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front TRACK ROD END BALLJOINT RETAINING PIN MISSING

Pass 10 Jan 2018 75,695 miles

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

Offside Front Brake slightly binding.

Fail 2 Jan 2018 75,693 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings Sill. (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Inner Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings Sill. (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Brake slightly binding.

Pass 18 Oct 2016 74,360 miles

Both front lower/upper arms very rusty but not weakened

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 18 Oct 2016 74,360 miles

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

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

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Both front lower/upper arms very rusty but not weakened

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 24 Oct 2015 72,752 miles

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

Front n/s and o/s inner sill

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

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

Pass 30 Aug 2014 72,591 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2013 72,618 miles

rear tyres perished

Fail 3 Aug 2013 72,616 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

rear tyres perished

Pass 15 Nov 2010 72,498 miles
Fail 12 Nov 2010 72,491 miles

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

Pass 1 Sep 2009 69,335 miles

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

Pass 26 Sep 2008 64,067 miles
Pass 28 Dec 2007 61,393 miles
Fail 28 Dec 2007 61,393 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Dec 2006 57,525 miles

wipers juddering slightly

Pass 20 Dec 2005 53,916 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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P490 AFX is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc 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 P490 AFX, 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 P490 AFX?

You can check the full history of P490 AFX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P490 AFX registered?

P490 AFX is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 21 December 1996.

Is P490 AFX safe to buy?

The MOT history for P490 AFX 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 P490 AFX 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 P490 AFX. 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.