CarVerify

Free Car Check

H256 DMX

1997 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1600cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 May 2026
Tests23 (15 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate65.2%

Mileage

234,001 mi
Last recorded234,001 miles
Recorded on8 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationH256 DMX
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc

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

15 pass 8 fail
Fail 8 Jul 2026 234,001 miles

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill area corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Sub-frame damaged and seriously weakened suspension arm mounting area cut through (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all front brake lines covered in grease (1.1.11 (c))

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all front arms corroded (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced arch area corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 19 May 2025 231,971 miles

heavy undersealed

Pass 15 Feb 2021 222,011 miles

Nearside Front seat removed

Fail 18 Jan 2021 221,942 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Fuel system component leaking filter (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced chassis rail and floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 26 Jul 2019 211,958 miles

All direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute (4.4.4 (a))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside / offside bushes deterioted (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened nearside / offside inner edges (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin nearside / offside (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Wheel/tyre protruding beyond wheel arch front and rear

centre chassis has been extensively welded

slight corrosion to various front and rear suspension components

Fail 17 Jun 2019 211,678 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired Inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired Inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Nearside & offside (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 25 Jun 2018 206,970 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all 4 (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all 4 suspension arm bushes deteriated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 15 Jun 2018 206,949 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength under body (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened all 4 (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all 4 suspension arm bushes deteriated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 28 Jun 2017 196,239 miles
Fail 20 Jun 2017 121,926 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 16 Jun 2016 183,127 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt upper wishbone (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt upper wishbone (2.4.G.2)

undertray fitted

Pass 18 Jul 2015 181,360 miles

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Oil leak

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

offside sill has surface corrosion

Fail 23 Jun 2015 181,312 miles

Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Oil leak

Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

both side front tyres wearing smooth on edges (no cords/ply showing)

nearside front Body or chassis has corrosion, seriously affecting its strength,but is not within 30cm of the body mountings

offside sill has surface corrosion

Pass 7 Jun 2014 178,259 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Underbody of vehicle has slight corrosion

rear subframe has slight corrosion

Pass 20 Apr 2013 177,867 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

corrosion over body and chassis of vehicle

Pass 28 Apr 2012 176,229 miles
Pass 5 Aug 2010 176,020 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2009 170,485 miles

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

Pass 30 May 2008 165,829 miles
Fail 29 May 2008 165,829 miles

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

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 4 Jun 2007 160,374 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Aug 2006 154,189 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

Fail 3 Aug 2006 154,109 miles

Centre Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nail in nearside front tyre

Suspension joint nearside upper dust cover split/missing

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

H256 DMX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.2%.

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 H256 DMX, 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 H256 DMX?

You can check the full history of H256 DMX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H256 DMX registered?

H256 DMX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 29 September 1997.

Is H256 DMX safe to buy?

The MOT history for H256 DMX shows 23 tests with a 65.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H256 DMX 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 H256 DMX. 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.