CarVerify

Free Car Check

P966 XEL

1996 Mazda MX-5

Orange Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires15 Nov 2025
Tests17 (16 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate94.1%

Mileage

80,889 mi
Last recorded80,889 miles
Recorded on16 Nov 2024
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
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationP966 XEL
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1996
ColourOrange
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

16 pass 1 fail
Pass 16 Nov 2024 80,889 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 23 Dec 2023 80,002 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 12 Nov 2022 77,958 miles

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Nov 2021 77,157 miles

front and rear suspension components corroded

front headlights tarnished

handbrake performance low may need attention shortly

washers weak

Pass 2 Aug 2019 77,144 miles

handbrake performance low may need attention shortly

Pass 14 Jul 2018 77,071 miles

handbrake performance low may need attention shortly

slight blow on exhaust

slight corrosion on underside

Pass 30 Jun 2017 76,387 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2016 75,990 miles
Pass 30 Jun 2015 75,131 miles

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

Pass 24 May 2014 71,590 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2013 70,404 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2011 70,379 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2010 70,366 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2009 70,344 miles
Fail 19 Jun 2009 70,344 miles

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

Pass 27 Jun 2008 70,335 miles
Pass 14 May 2007 70,203 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

P966 XEL is a 1996 Mazda MX-5 in Orange with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 94.1%.

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 P966 XEL, 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 P966 XEL?

You can check the full history of P966 XEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P966 XEL registered?

P966 XEL is a 1996 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 30 August 1996.

Is P966 XEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P966 XEL shows 17 tests with a 94.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P966 XEL 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 P966 XEL. 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.