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B17 OFA

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Mar 2027
Tests27 (19 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate70.4%

Mileage

137,156 mi
Last recorded137,156 miles
Recorded on25 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 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

RegistrationB17 OFA
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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 8 fail
Pass 25 Feb 2026 137,156 miles
Pass 7 Mar 2025 134,837 miles
Pass 15 Feb 2024 132,696 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Mar 2023 131,138 miles
Pass 11 Mar 2022 128,956 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

under body has general corrosion

Pass 5 Feb 2021 128,321 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

underbody has general corrosion

Fail 27 Jul 2020 128,218 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced back off sill and arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Nail in tyre ()

Offside Front Upper Suspension component ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 22 May 2017 123,307 miles
Fail 22 May 2017 123,307 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Pass 4 Jun 2016 119,478 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

Fail 2 Jun 2016 119,464 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Offside Obligatory mirror is incapable of being adjusted to provide an adequate view to the rear (8.1.2b)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 27 May 2015 113,940 miles

Engine has oil leak

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Fail 20 May 2015 113,758 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Outer Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Engine has oil leak

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

Pass 29 May 2014 107,339 miles

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

o/s/f brake disc starting to corrode

Fail 29 May 2014 107,339 miles

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

Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

o/s/f brake disc starting to corrode

Pass 31 May 2013 102,181 miles

nearside rear handbrake slightly reduced effect

Pass 30 May 2012 95,266 miles

Exhaust System corroded

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Pass 5 Aug 2011 97,939 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2010 95,286 miles

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

Pass 7 Aug 2009 94,311 miles
Fail 7 Aug 2009 94,311 miles

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

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

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

Pass 8 Aug 2008 92,343 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 8 Aug 2008 92,343 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 11 Aug 2007 88,107 miles

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

Fail 6 Aug 2007 88,011 miles

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 9 Aug 2006 80,042 miles

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

Pass 1 Aug 2005 74,610 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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B17 OFA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70.4%.

Across all 1997 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.7% with a typical mileage of 85,711 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 B17 OFA, 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 29 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 B17 OFA?

You can check the full history of B17 OFA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B17 OFA registered?

B17 OFA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is B17 OFA safe to buy?

The MOT history for B17 OFA shows 27 tests with a 70.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B17 OFA 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 B17 OFA. 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.