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S538 JRU

1998 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Oct 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

143,906 mi
Last recorded143,906 miles
Recorded on16 Oct 2025
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationS538 JRU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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 9 fail
Pass 16 Oct 2025 143,906 miles

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

Fail 26 Feb 2025 143,905 miles

Driver's airbag missing (7.1.5 (a))

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

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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Headlamp aim too low both (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively stretched (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively stretched (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Steering column top bearing excessively worn (2.2.2 (b))

Steering system fouling (2.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached nyloc nut not locking (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached nyloc nut not locking (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 28 Feb 2024 140,165 miles
Pass 13 Feb 2023 137,276 miles
Pass 7 Feb 2022 133,300 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2021 129,541 miles
Fail 28 Jan 2021 129,523 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre incorrectly seated on the wheel rim (5.2.3 (k))

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords damaged side wall of tyre damaged , sidewall structure damaged (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 24 Jan 2020 127,106 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Torsion bar modified but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (d) (i))

Pass 28 Jan 2019 122,976 miles
Fail 28 Jan 2019 122,966 miles

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

Pass 10 May 2017 110,525 miles

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

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

Fail 3 May 2017 110,500 miles

Central Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired outer sill (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired outer sill (5.2.6)

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

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

Pass 11 Feb 2016 102,413 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a seal (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 9 Feb 2015 93,521 miles

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

high level brake light not working

Fail 5 Feb 2015 93,521 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

high level brake light not working

Pass 20 Feb 2014 91,366 miles

high level brake light not working

Fail 20 Feb 2014 91,366 miles

Nearside Front Tie bar/rod cracked (2.4.G.1)

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

high level brake light not working

Pass 14 Feb 2013 88,814 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2012 87,275 miles
Pass 20 Jan 2011 84,969 miles

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

advise;all front suspension parts have surface rust

advise;all rear suspension parts have surface rust

Pass 7 Dec 2009 82,355 miles

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

Fail 7 Dec 2009 82,355 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

Pass 31 Dec 2008 77,915 miles

Oil leak

Fail 30 Dec 2008 77,915 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Pass 20 Dec 2007 74,069 miles
Pass 11 Dec 2006 70,125 miles
Fail 5 Dec 2006 70,116 miles

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

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

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

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2005 65,605 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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S538 JRU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

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 S538 JRU, 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 S538 JRU?

You can check the full history of S538 JRU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S538 JRU registered?

S538 JRU is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 29 August 1998.

Is S538 JRU safe to buy?

The MOT history for S538 JRU shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S538 JRU 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 S538 JRU. 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.