1998 Mazda MX-5 1.6L Petrol · R968 AWO
1998 Mazda MX-5 (1.6L, petrol). First registered 05 Jan 1998. Recorded mileage 49,246 miles. MOT valid until 30 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- MAZDA MX-5
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 30 Mar 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 49,246 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R968 AWO Key Findings
- 30 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 14/03/2026
- 49,246 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 9 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring suspension items (30 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R968 AWO MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
30 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Mazda Mx-5 (R968 AWO) between December 2005 and March 2026.
The record contains 21 passes and 9 failures.
The most recent test on 14 March 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 9 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (30 issues), Brakes (15 issues), Tyres (11 issues), Lighting (9 issues), Bodywork (4 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 62 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.
Recorded failure items include: “Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))”; “Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))”; “Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural ”.
R968 AWO Mileage History
- 27/12/200526,270 mi
- 29/12/200627,844 mi+1,574 mi
- 02/01/200727,850 mi+6 mi
- 19/12/200729,633 mi+1,783 mi
- 18/12/200831,107 mi+1,474 mi
- 18/12/200831,107 mi
- 30/12/200932,618 mi+1,511 mi
- 01/12/201033,867 mi+1,249 mi
- 02/12/201033,867 mi
- 30/12/201135,350 mi+1,483 mi
- 21/12/201236,717 mi+1,367 mi
- 31/12/201338,179 mi+1,462 mi
- 31/12/201338,179 mi
- 19/12/201439,590 mi+1,411 mi
- 05/01/201641,663 mi+2,073 mi
- 05/01/201641,663 mi
- 04/01/201742,739 mi+1,076 mi
- 05/01/201843,990 mi+1,251 mi
- 18/12/201844,884 mi+894 mi
- 19/12/201844,887 mi+3 mi
- 11/01/202045,787 mi+900 mi
- 16/01/202045,790 mi+3 mi
- 25/02/202146,239 mi+449 mi
- 26/02/202146,245 mi+6 mi
- 09/02/202246,529 mi+284 mi
- 31/03/202347,135 mi+606 mi
- 01/04/202347,162 mi+27 mi
- 23/03/202447,730 mi+568 mi
- 08/03/202548,860 mi+1,130 mi
- 14/03/202649,246 mi+386 mi
Average of roughly 1,137 miles per year across 30 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Mazda Mazda MX-5 (NA, late UK cars)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
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.
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MAZDA MX-5 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1998 model year cars.
- Rear Sill and Inner Arch RustSerious
Late NA shells commonly rot around the rear sill sections ahead of the back wheels, often from the inside out after years of damp and blocked drains.
- Hood Drain and Rain-Rail Water IngressModerate
Blocked drains or an ageing rain rail let water into the cabin and rear cavities, accelerating sill corrosion and leaving carpets damp.
- Clutch Slave Cylinder Hydraulic Fluid Leakage and Pedal FailureModerate
Late Mk1 MX-5 models frequently suffer clutch hydraulic failures due to internal seal degradation and cylinder bore corrosion in the clutch slave cylinder, which is mounted low on the side of the transmission bellhousing exposed to UK road splash. Leaking hydraulic fluid causes a spongy clutch pedal that progressively loses resistance, drops to the floor and fails to disengage the clutch, making 1st and reverse gears almost impossible to engage from a standstill. Because the clutch and brake systems share similar fluid maintenance regimes, dirty moisture-laden DOT 4 fluid accelerates the failure. Replacing the slave cylinder along with a braided flexi-hose and fresh fluid is a standard UK independent repair.
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