1998 Mazda MX5 1.8L Petrol · WJI 2868
1998 Mazda MX5 (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01/07/1998. Recorded mileage 133,749 miles. MOT valid until 26/04/2027. Taxed until 01/05/2027.
- Make & Model
- MAZDA MX5
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Exeter
- MOT Status
- Valid until 26/04/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/05/2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 133,749 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Non-Compliant (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 1998
- Engine
- 1830cc
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
WJI 2868 Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 28/04/2026
- 133,749 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (2 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
WJI 2868 Mileage History
- 04/03/2022128,946 mi
- 27/03/2023130,939 mi+1,993 mi
- 28/04/2026133,749 mi+2,810 mi
Average of roughly 1,157 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
WJI 2868 MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Mazda Mx5 (WJI 2868) between March 2022 and April 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 2 advisory notices note items to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (2 issues), Windscreen (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 2 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
This 1998 silver Mazda MX-5 with 1.8-litre petrol engine is a usable classic sports car with a largely clean MOT record, but buyers should budget for age-related wear. It is worth considering if priced fairly and inspected thoroughly for corrosion and suspension condition.
When viewing this MX-5, prioritise a documented service history to confirm routine maintenance across its 133,749 miles, as none is summarised in the supplied data. Use the recorded advisories as negotiation points: the 2021 note of severely deteriorated front lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers on both sides and repeated front brake binding suggest worn components that may need renewal. Given the 1998 registration and silver 1.8-litre specification, compare the asking price against similar UK examples and factor in potential expenditure on suspension bushes and brake servicing.
As a 1.8-litre petrol roadster first registered in 1998, this MX-5 falls into a lower historic Vehicle Excise Duty band, typically costing £210 per year for pre-2001 cars based on engine size. Insurance groups for Mk1 MX-5s are modest, often Group 13–15, keeping premiums reasonable for a classic sports car. With around 1,400 miles driven annually per recent MOTs, fuel and maintenance costs are low, though parts for ageing Mazdas can vary; estimated annual running cost is £600–£900 including fuel, tax, insurance and basic upkeep.
Inspect the front suspension closely given the 2021 MOT advisory for severely deteriorated lower arm ball joint dust covers on both sides, as failed covers allow dirt ingress and joint wear. Check the front brakes for binding as noted in 2019, 2021 and 2023 tests, confirming callipers and hoses are free and pads are even. As a 28-year-old silver convertible, examine the sills, wheel arches and floor pans for rust even though no structural issues appear in the MOT history, and verify the offside wiper blade flagged in April 2026 has been replaced.
The vehicle shows a consistent MOT pass history from 2019 to 2026 with no failures recorded, the most recent test at 133,749 miles noting only a defective offside wiper blade. Mileage has risen modestly from 123,574 in 2019 to 133,749 in 2026, suggesting light annual use of around 1,400 miles. Known advisories include front brake binding in 2019, 2021 and 2023, plus deteriorated suspension arm ball joint dust covers in 2021, which are typical of a 28-year-old roadster.
No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Mazda MX-5, so assessment is limited to this vehicle's individual history.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (WJI2 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as WJI2868.
AUDI
Q5 S LINE 40 TDI QUATTRO S-A
MITSUBISHI
L200 WARRIOR DI-D
VOLKSWAGEN
TIGUAN SEL TDI S-A
VAUXHALL
ASTRA LS 1.7 TDS
NISSAN
QASHQAI N-TEC + 2 DCI
ROVER
200 VI
MERCEDES-BENZ
E220 EXEC-IVE SE CDI BLUE-CY A
FIAT
DOBLO 16V MULTIJET SWB
MERCEDES-BENZ
VITO 119 B-TEC TOURER SELECT A
LAND ROVER
RANGE ROVER
BMW
320D M SPORT AUTO
MERCEDES-BENZ
GLE 400 AMG LINE PREM D 4M A