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S81 JCF

1998 Mazda MX-5

Gold Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires14 Jun 2025
Tests25 (20 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

177,536 mi
Last recorded177,536 miles
Recorded on25 Jul 2025
Typical for 1998 Mazda MX-586,993 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationS81 JCF
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourGold
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

20 pass 5 fail
Fail 25 Jul 2025 177,536 miles

Emissions unable to be completed due to overheating (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced and outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension component ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 21 May 2024 169,975 miles

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Pass 7 Jun 2023 164,712 miles
Pass 30 May 2022 155,696 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 15 Jun 2021 148,520 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

front tyres starting to perish in tread lines

general wear/deterioration across suspension bushes, no excessive play

rear exhaust hangers corroded

steering wheel bonding deteriorated

Fail 15 Jun 2021 148,520 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced misted, no beam pattern (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

front tyres starting to perish in tread lines

general wear/deterioration across suspension bushes, no excessive play

rear exhaust hangers corroded

steering wheel bonding deteriorated

Pass 16 Jul 2020 144,254 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

both engine mounts soft

general wear/deterioration across all suspension bushes

steering wheel bonding deteriorated

Pass 11 Jul 2019 132,671 miles

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin deteriorated (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

both number plates deteriorated but still easily read

front pads 5-6mm

some corrosion rear coil springs

steering wheel bonding deteriorated

stone chip windscreen

Pass 31 Jul 2018 121,107 miles

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

both number plates deteriorated but still easily read

rear coil springs corroded

small chip in windscreen

steering wheel rubber bonding deteriorated

Fail 31 Jul 2018 121,107 miles

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

both number plates deteriorated but still easily read

rear coil springs corroded

small chip in windscreen

steering wheel rubber bonding deteriorated

Pass 27 Jul 2017 110,127 miles

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

Pass 19 Jul 2016 106,318 miles
Pass 14 Jul 2015 103,471 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2014 54,070 miles

some corrosion on rear o/s body sill

some wear on rear discs

Fail 15 Jul 2014 54,070 miles

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

some corrosion on rear o/s body sill

some wear on rear discs

Pass 23 Jul 2013 93,271 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2012 90,728 miles

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 30 Jul 2012 90,728 miles
Pass 28 Jul 2011 87,082 miles
Pass 21 Jul 2010 82,090 miles
Pass 22 Jul 2009 77,313 miles

cat very slow to respond

Pass 11 Jul 2008 72,687 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2007 67,614 miles
Pass 21 Jul 2006 63,048 miles
Pass 22 Jul 2005 59,205 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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S81 JCF is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Gold with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

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 S81 JCF, 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 S81 JCF?

You can check the full history of S81 JCF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S81 JCF registered?

S81 JCF is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1998.

Is S81 JCF safe to buy?

The MOT history for S81 JCF shows 25 tests with a 80% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S81 JCF 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 S81 JCF. 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.