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S857 VAH

1998 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Jun 2027
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

126,048 mi
Last recorded126,048 miles
Recorded on26 May 2026
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

RegistrationS857 VAH
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1998
ColourRed
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 15 fail
Pass 26 May 2026 126,048 miles

Nearside Front 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))

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

Fail 26 May 2026 126,048 miles

Nearside Front 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))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 19 Jun 2025 125,795 miles

Nearside Front 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))

Fail 19 Jun 2025 125,795 miles

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front 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))

Pass 1 Jun 2024 125,579 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2023 125,131 miles

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

Pass 20 Jun 2022 124,795 miles
Fail 20 Jun 2022 124,795 miles

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

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

Pass 12 Jun 2020 119,895 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2019 119,280 miles

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 19 Jun 2019 119,280 miles

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner and outer sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 12 Jul 2018 118,164 miles

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

sill covers fitted

Fail 12 Jul 2018 118,164 miles

Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system front to rear (1.1.11 (b) (i))

Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture front to rear (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

sill covers fitted

Pass 24 May 2017 117,221 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

sill covers fitted

Pass 27 Apr 2016 116,084 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Fail 25 Apr 2016 116,082 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 1.056 (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 27 Apr 2015 114,769 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 27 Apr 2015 114,767 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 2 May 2014 113,225 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 26 Apr 2014 113,202 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 2 Apr 2014 113,163 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 28 Feb 2013 107,300 miles

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

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

exhaust deteriorated

general corrosion

Fail 26 Feb 2013 107,300 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

exhaust deteriorated

general corrosion

Pass 19 Mar 2012 103,499 miles

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

allsuspension components are corroded

exhaust system deteriorated

front and rear subframe corroded

rear brake discs corroded

Fail 14 Mar 2012 103,497 miles

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

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

allsuspension components are corroded

exhaust system deteriorated

front and rear subframe corroded

rear brake discs corroded

Pass 16 Dec 2010 102,046 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Fail 15 Dec 2010 102,045 miles

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage fractured (2.4.G.1)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

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

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

both rear brake discs pitted and corroded

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 9 Dec 2009 94,793 miles

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

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 12 Sep 2008 83,416 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2008 83,416 miles

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 3 Oct 2007 76,874 miles
Fail 3 Oct 2007 76,873 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 16 Oct 2006 69,948 miles
Fail 16 Oct 2006 69,948 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

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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S857 VAH is a 1998 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.9%.

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 S857 VAH, 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 S857 VAH?

You can check the full history of S857 VAH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S857 VAH registered?

S857 VAH is a 1998 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 25 August 1998.

Is S857 VAH safe to buy?

The MOT history for S857 VAH shows 34 tests with a 55.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S857 VAH 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 S857 VAH. 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.