1998 Mazda MX-5 1.6L Petrol · J66 RBB

The 1998 Mazda MX-5 presents a currently roadworthy status following a passed MOT on 13 June 2025 at 262,961 miles, though the same-day failure immediately prior to that pass with no defects recorded points to an administrative or presentation issue rather than a mechanical fault. The maintenance trend reads as stable across the three years of records, with no advisories or defects logged at any test. Prior owners appear to have kept the car to a basic pass standard without neglect showing in the official data. Mileage sits at 262,961 as of the June 2025 test, equating to roughly 9,391 miles per year since 1998, which is typical for the age. The records show 248,642 miles in June 2023, 257,929 in June 2024, and 262,961 in June 2025, a steady annual accumulation of around 7,000 to 9,000 miles with no gaps or sudden jumps. The DVSA data is sparse and clean, carrying no corrosion, brake, suspension, or emissions flags across the period. A buyer should still inspect structural integrity and suspension bushes in person given the car is 28 years old and high-mileage for an MX-5 chassis. The absence of recorded advisories does not rule out age-related underbody rust or worn coil springs that a tester may not have flagged under current pass thresholds. Check brake discs and calipers for binding or wear, and examine exhaust emissions hardware closely despite the clean record. The repeated same-day fail-then-pass pattern in 2024 and 2025 suggests the vehicle was presented without a valid prior certificate, so confirm the V5C and actual test centre notes before purchase.