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FD53 WVT

2003 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 Aug 2027
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

102,851 mi
Last recorded102,851 miles
Recorded on6 Aug 2026
Typical for 2003 Mazda MX-560,251 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationFD53 WVT
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 6 Aug 2026 102,851 miles
Pass 29 Jul 2025 100,508 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ALL brake pipes undersealed (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Body panel slightly loose wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective Mountings (6.1.2 (a))

Vehicle underside heavily undersealed

Fail 25 Jul 2025 100,505 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested Brake pipe popped when under test (1.2.1 (g))

Brake pipe at imminent risk of failure or fracture Front to rear (1.1.11 (a)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material ALL brake pipes undersealed (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Body panel slightly loose wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective Mountings (6.1.2 (a))

Vehicle underside heavily undersealed

Pass 24 Jul 2024 97,979 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened ALL FOUR (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Coolant leak

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

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

Underside heavily covered in under sealant

Fail 23 Jul 2024 97,979 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened ALL FOUR (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Coolant leak

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

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

Underside heavily covered in under sealant

Fail 19 Jul 2023 97,938 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases joint (6.1.2 (a))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Headlamps matched pair are not the same colour (4.1.4 (d))

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor / sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) light intensity significantly reduced (4.3.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake master cylinder/servo mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wheel arch (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Coolant leak

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Nearside Front Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Battery box corroded (plastic panel has been screwed over top )

Offside Rear Outer Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 23 Mar 2023 97,807 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Chip in the windscreen

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Multiple (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Under sill heavily corroded

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Multiple (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 24 Mar 2022 96,239 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view several stone chips (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 11 Mar 2022 96,213 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position (3.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Obligatory mirror insecure (3.3 (b) (ii))

Nearside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Side repeater missing (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view several stone chips (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Mar 2021 93,719 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension components are corroded

Fail 18 Feb 2021 93,700 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension components are corroded

Pass 29 May 2019 90,019 miles

Chip in the screen

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule NSF and OSF (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule NSR and OSR (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Suspension components are corroded

Underneath waxoyled

Fail 22 May 2019 90,017 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Registration plate incorrect (0.1 (c))

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

Rear Registration plate incorrect (0.1 (c))

Chip in the screen

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule NSF and OSF (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule NSR and OSR (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Suspension components are corroded

Underneath waxoyled

Pass 2 May 2018 85,439 miles

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Fail 1 May 2018 85,439 miles

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively blade split (8.2.2)

Offside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear Registration plate lamp not fitted (1.1.C.1b)

Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 28 Apr 2017 81,424 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2015 75,994 miles

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

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 26 Mar 2014 69,997 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

handbrake quite high.

nearside rear wheel arch corroding.

nearside wiper blade split.

offside rear tyre - 3mm.

offside rear wheel arch corroding.

Pass 28 Mar 2013 64,389 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

offside rear wheel arch corroding.

offside wiper blade splitting.

Fail 28 Mar 2013 64,389 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

offside rear wheel arch corroding.

offside wiper blade splitting.

Pass 17 Mar 2012 56,664 miles

all rear pads wearing low

Pass 31 Mar 2011 51,026 miles
Fail 26 Mar 2011 51,013 miles

Offside Front An item not tested (Manual)

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 19 Mar 2010 49,928 miles
Fail 19 Mar 2010 49,928 miles

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 26 Mar 2009 48,344 miles
Pass 14 Dec 2007 39,723 miles

acceptrable chip in windscreen zone A

front brake pads appear worn

n/s wiper blade torn

Pass 6 Dec 2006 28,365 miles

acceptable sized chip in windscreen zone A

o/s wiper blade slightly torn

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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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

FD53 WVT is a 2003 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

Across all 2003 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 75.2% with a typical mileage of 60,251 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 FD53 WVT, 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 23 years old, this Mazda MX-5 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FD53 WVT?

You can check the full history of FD53 WVT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FD53 WVT registered?

FD53 WVT is a 2003 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 15 December 2003.

Is FD53 WVT safe to buy?

The MOT history for FD53 WVT shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FD53 WVT 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 FD53 WVT. 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.