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S738 JFX

1998 Mazda MX-5

Gold Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jul 2027
Tests23 (17 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate73.9%

Mileage

105,046 mi
Last recorded105,046 miles
Recorded on31 Jul 2026
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationS738 JFX
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourGold
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

17 pass 6 fail
Pass 31 Jul 2026 105,046 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 31 Jul 2026 105,046 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jun 2025 101,051 miles

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

Pass 19 Jun 2024 94,139 miles

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

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all front arms (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush perished bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush perished (5.3.2 (c))

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

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both rear brakes (1.2.1 (e))

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all rear arms (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all rear bushes are cracking /perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Feb 2024 94,083 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

front and rear suspension components corroded

Pass 23 Jul 2019 90,043 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 12 Jul 2019 89,927 miles

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Brake hydraulic reservoir close to minimum mark (1.1.10 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

both front brakes show signs of overheating

Pass 13 Jul 2018 86,605 miles

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

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

all brake hose ferrules corroded

exhaust tailpipe holed

Pass 26 Jul 2017 83,036 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

Fail 18 Jul 2017 83,008 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

nearside & offside wiper blades deteriorated

Nearside Front tyre sidewalls badly perished

Pass 19 Jul 2016 80,595 miles

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

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

nearside & offside wiper blade rubbers splitting at ends

Pass 21 Jul 2015 77,415 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2014 75,506 miles
Pass 18 Sep 2013 72,930 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

front power steering pipes corroded

Pass 25 Sep 2012 70,764 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

both rear outer sills corroded

front power steering pipes corroded

Pass 26 Sep 2011 67,602 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

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

nearside front lower suspension arm slightly corroding

nearside rear wheel arch corroding

offside front lower suspension arm slightly corroding

Pass 7 Sep 2010 65,040 miles
Pass 16 Sep 2009 63,830 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2009 63,830 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

Pass 4 Sep 2008 61,706 miles
Fail 1 Sep 2008 61,703 miles

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

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 Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

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

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

Pass 17 Apr 2007 56,481 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2006 52,802 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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S738 JFX is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Gold with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 73.9%.

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 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 S738 JFX, 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 S738 JFX?

You can check the full history of S738 JFX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S738 JFX registered?

S738 JFX is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 28 August 1998.

Is S738 JFX safe to buy?

The MOT history for S738 JFX shows 23 tests with a 73.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S738 JFX 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 S738 JFX. 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.