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J261 SDH

1992 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires16 Sep 2026
Tests24 (16 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

230,780 mi
Last recorded230,780 miles
Recorded on17 Sep 2025
Typical for 1992 Mazda MX-5116,364 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationJ261 SDH
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1992
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,597cc

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

16 pass 8 fail
Pass 17 Sep 2025 230,780 miles

Nearside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Fail 16 Sep 2025 230,769 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp switch not operating in accordance with the requirements no tell tale light (4.5.3 (a))

Nearside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Fail 25 Apr 2023 228,830 miles

Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt both side n/s and o/s (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill 30cm within seatbelt (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale missing (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (1.1.10 (d) (i))

Central body chassis damaged

Central fuel pipe age related corrosion

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear brake pipe corroded

Rear both inner sills corroded

Rear bumper damage

all suspension corroded

p/a/s rack weaping

Pass 17 May 2021 222,063 miles
Pass 12 Oct 2020 220,738 miles

ALL SUSPENSION PARTS CORRODED

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 10 Oct 2020 220,738 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

ALL SUSPENSION PARTS CORRODED

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 5 Nov 2019 220,701 miles

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

nearside rear inner and outter sills surface corrosion

Fail 24 Oct 2019 220,669 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

nearside rear inner and outter sills surface corrosion

Pass 2 Oct 2017 220,608 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2017 220,544 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Pass 29 Sep 2016 27,610 miles

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

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Fail 27 Sep 2016 217,591 miles

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Pass 24 Sep 2015 209,148 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component steering rack (2.3.3b)

metal fuel pipe moderately corroded

Pass 15 Oct 2014 203,654 miles

nearside front shock absorber dust cover deteriated

nearside front upper ball joint dust cover perished

nearside rear shock absorber dust cover deteriated

offside front shock absorber dust cover deteriated

offside front upper ball joint dust cover perished

offside rear shock absorber dust cover deteriated

oil leak

Pass 13 Jun 2013 203,184 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Handbrake on height limits

Pass 24 May 2012 200,775 miles

Oil leak

Pass 23 Jun 2011 196,977 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Tie bar/rod rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside and Nearside chassis rails damaged.

Pass 6 May 2010 190,061 miles
Pass 26 May 2009 181,919 miles
Fail 21 May 2009 181,919 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Pass 22 May 2008 149,910 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Fail 21 May 2008 149,872 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Pass 19 May 2007 113,078 miles
Pass 26 May 2006 85,852 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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J261 SDH is a 1992 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1992 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.0% with a typical mileage of 116,364 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 J261 SDH, 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 34 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J261 SDH?

You can check the full history of J261 SDH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J261 SDH registered?

J261 SDH is a 1992 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1992.

Is J261 SDH safe to buy?

The MOT history for J261 SDH shows 24 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 J261 SDH 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 J261 SDH. 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.