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P553 FOV

1996 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Sep 2026
Tests35 (19 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate54.3%

Mileage

198,527 mi
Last recorded198,527 miles
Recorded on16 Sep 2025
Typical for 1996 Mazda MX-586,097 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP553 FOV
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

19 pass 16 fail
Pass 16 Sep 2025 198,527 miles

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

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Nearside Front Sub-frame ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 9 Sep 2024 181,871 miles

Clutch pedal rubber worn.

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Cracked. (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 27 Aug 2024 181,867 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Inner wheel arch corroded and holed. (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Chassis leg corroded and holed. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Clutch pedal rubber worn.

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Cracked. (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 21 Jul 2023 168,641 miles

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Jul 2023 168,641 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame attachment bracket/mounting insecure bolt missing (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Jul 2022 165,250 miles

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

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

Fail 7 Jul 2022 165,250 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Fail 16 Jun 2022 165,181 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Floor excessively deteriorated close to seat mount (6.2.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Chassis rail\ floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner and out sill within 300 mm from seatbelt and seat mount (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 15 Jun 2021 157,278 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive outer sill and under car inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

light corrsion to under car

Fail 14 Jun 2021 157,278 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area damaged but not considered excessive outer sill and under car inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

light corrsion to under car

Pass 19 Jun 2020 147,173 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2018 146,252 miles

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Fail 23 Nov 2018 146,252 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 14 Jul 2017 143,833 miles

All front suspension components corroded

All rear suspension components corroded

Low effort nearside park brake

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

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

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

Rear tow eye badly corroded

Fail 6 Jul 2017 143,829 miles

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

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

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

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

All front suspension components corroded

All rear suspension components corroded

Low effort nearside park brake

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

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

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

Rear tow eye badly corroded

Pass 15 Jul 2016 140,348 miles

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

Front steering components corroded

Front suspension components corroded

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear suspension components corroded

Fail 14 Jul 2016 140,348 miles

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

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

Front steering components corroded

Front suspension components corroded

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear suspension components corroded

Pass 18 May 2015 136,309 miles

Beam patterns weak

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Nearside outer sill corroded

Nearside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear brake pads breaking up

Rear suspension corroded

Fail 11 May 2015 136,309 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Beam patterns weak

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Nearside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear brake pads breaking up

Rear suspension corroded

Pass 13 May 2014 131,431 miles

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Headlamp beam pattern weak

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Nearside front brake pad breaking up

Nearside front wing/sill corroded

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside rear outer sill corroded

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 30 Apr 2014 131,430 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

Centre Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Headlamp beam pattern weak

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Nearside front brake pad breaking up

Nearside front wing/sill corroded

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside rear outer sill corroded

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 19 Apr 2013 125,534 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

rust hole in n/s/r inner wheel arch

Fail 17 Apr 2013 125,532 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

brake imbalance high

rust hole in n/s/r inner wheel arch

Pass 4 May 2012 119,135 miles

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

Nearside front brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.2b)

both wiper blades splitting

Fail 4 May 2012 119,135 miles

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

Nearside front brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

both wiper blades splitting

Pass 4 Apr 2011 112,468 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Mar 2011 112,320 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 Apr 2010 105,533 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2010 105,530 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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

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

Pass 28 Apr 2009 98,568 miles

n/s/f tyre getting low outer edge.

n/s/r outer sill getting poor.

Fail 23 Apr 2009 98,562 miles

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

n/s/f tyre getting low outer edge.

n/s/r outer sill getting poor.

Pass 28 Apr 2008 92,738 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2008 92,610 miles

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

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

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

Pass 20 Apr 2007 85,519 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2006 78,586 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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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

P553 FOV is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 35 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.3%.

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 P553 FOV, 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 P553 FOV?

You can check the full history of P553 FOV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P553 FOV registered?

P553 FOV is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 21 October 1996.

Is P553 FOV safe to buy?

The MOT history for P553 FOV shows 35 tests with a 54.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P553 FOV 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 P553 FOV. 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.