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S51 LJB

1998 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 May 2027
Tests32 (22 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate68.8%

Mileage

93,808 mi
Last recorded93,808 miles
Recorded on21 May 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationS51 LJB
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourGreen
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

22 pass 10 fail
Pass 21 May 2026 93,808 miles

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

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

Fail 20 May 2026 93,799 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

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

Pass 26 Aug 2025 90,121 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Aug 2024 83,844 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test Phone holder

Pass 31 Aug 2023 79,114 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2023 79,114 miles

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

Pass 1 Aug 2022 71,415 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2021 69,743 miles

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

Fail 9 Aug 2021 69,748 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Pass 30 Jul 2020 68,742 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

all suspension arms are slightly corroded

Fail 30 Jul 2020 68,742 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

all suspension arms are slightly corroded

Pass 5 Aug 2019 68,099 miles

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all x4 (5.2.3 (e))

suspension components to underside corroded

Fail 5 Aug 2019 68,099 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all x4 (5.2.3 (e))

suspension components to underside corroded

Pass 31 Jul 2018 67,177 miles

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

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

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

Pass 3 Aug 2017 66,170 miles
Fail 27 Jul 2017 66,168 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2016 64,397 miles

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

nearside front / offside front also nearside rear tread condition 3mm

Fail 12 Jul 2016 112,455 miles

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

nearside front / offside front also nearside rear tread condition 3mm

Pass 3 Jun 2015 62,704 miles
Pass 9 Jun 2014 59,961 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2013 57,371 miles
Fail 25 Apr 2013 57,358 miles

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

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

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 23 Apr 2012 55,089 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2011 53,063 miles

offside nearside rear outersill slightly corrodded

Pass 23 Apr 2010 51,804 miles

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

Pass 25 Mar 2009 51,098 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside rear tyre perished

Rear discs corroded on edges

Pass 1 Apr 2008 50,125 miles
Fail 1 Apr 2008 50,125 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Pass 16 Mar 2007 48,407 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 1 Aug 2006 45,321 miles
Fail 31 Jul 2006 45,321 miles

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

Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 18 Jul 2005 42,267 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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S51 LJB is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68.8%.

Across all 1998 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.9% with a typical mileage of 86,993 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 S51 LJB, 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 28 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S51 LJB?

You can check the full history of S51 LJB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S51 LJB registered?

S51 LJB is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 24 August 1998.

Is S51 LJB safe to buy?

The MOT history for S51 LJB shows 32 tests with a 68.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S51 LJB 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 S51 LJB. 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.