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S701 BGH

1998 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Dec 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

146,490 mi
Last recorded146,490 miles
Recorded on18 Dec 2025
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS701 BGH
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc
View full Mazda MX-5 reliability data Browse other 1998 Mazda MX-5 registrations

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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 18 Dec 2025 146,490 miles
Fail 6 Jan 2025 146,468 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim unable to be tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

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

Nearside Front Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Sill panel (marked in yellow) (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill panel (marked in yellow) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp lens seriously defective (4.1.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp light intensity severely reduced (4.1.4 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill panel (marked in yellow) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill panel (marked in yellow) (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 6 Jan 2024 140,554 miles

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both (4.1.4 (b))

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Both rear inner sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 6 Jan 2023 135,288 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 6 Jan 2023 135,288 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sills (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2021 128,620 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated All (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Both (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 2 Oct 2020 124,230 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt deteriorated (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt deteriorated (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Wiper linkage worn

Fail 1 Oct 2020 124,230 miles

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

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

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt deteriorated (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt deteriorated (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Pass 18 Oct 2019 120,366 miles

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

Front wiper linkage worn

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing slightly damaged by cut in side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Clutch pedal rubber torn off

Fail 17 Oct 2019 120,365 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced Very frosted (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Front wiper linkage worn

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Frosted (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing slightly damaged by cut in side wall (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Clutch pedal rubber torn off

Pass 16 Oct 2018 113,869 miles

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Wiper linkage worn

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Fail 16 Oct 2018 113,869 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim not tested No beam pattern Frosted (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced Frosted (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp aim not tested No beam pattern Frosted (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced Frosted (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Wiper linkage worn

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 10 Oct 2017 107,339 miles

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

General underbody and component rust

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Very frosted will require replacement soon (1.7.5a)

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 Oct 2016 101,160 miles

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

General under body rust

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Oct 2015 96,168 miles

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

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

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

Fail 20 Oct 2015 96,168 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Oct 2014 90,819 miles

Front head lights faded

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Pass 10 Oct 2013 85,718 miles

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

Fail 17 Oct 2012 80,583 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Oct 2012 80,583 miles

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

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

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

Pass 19 Oct 2011 75,419 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2011 75,419 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Fail 13 Oct 2010 70,330 miles

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

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 13 Oct 2010 70,330 miles

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

Pass 21 Oct 2009 65,667 miles

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

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

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

front number plate slightly damaged

Fail 21 Oct 2009 65,667 miles

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

front number plate slightly damaged

Pass 10 Oct 2008 60,737 miles
Pass 29 Oct 2007 56,128 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2006 49,553 miles

gearstick knob insecure

long travel on handbrake lever

Pass 24 Aug 2005 42,414 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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S701 BGH is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 S701 BGH, 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 S701 BGH?

You can check the full history of S701 BGH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S701 BGH registered?

S701 BGH is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is S701 BGH safe to buy?

The MOT history for S701 BGH shows 30 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 S701 BGH 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 S701 BGH. 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.