CarVerify

Free Car Check

H972 EFC

1990 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1597cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires26 Feb 2027
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

159,449 mi
Last recorded159,449 miles
Recorded on27 Feb 2026
Typical for 1990 Mazda MX-5116,196 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationH972 EFC
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1990
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,597cc

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 13 fail
Pass 27 Feb 2026 159,449 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

general corrosion to underside of vehicle

Fail 10 Feb 2026 159,442 miles

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

Coolant leak ()

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

General corrosion to rear spring components

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 11 Feb 2025 158,585 miles

Coolant leak Thermostat housing pipe ()

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

General corrosion to underbody

Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 29 Jan 2025 158,585 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Obligatory mirror missing (3.3 (a))

Coolant leak Thermostat housing pipe ()

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

General corrosion to underbody

Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (4.2.3 (c))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 2 Aug 2022 158,439 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 26 Jul 2021 157,662 miles

Offside Front Floor corroded

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

Fail 26 Jul 2021 157,662 miles

Offside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Floor corroded

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

Pass 5 Aug 2020 156,187 miles

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

Fail 27 Jul 2020 156,187 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases manifold area (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 25 Jul 2019 154,761 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2019 154,759 miles

Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 29 Jun 2018 151,663 miles

Slight General corrosion underside

Pass 26 Jul 2017 149,197 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Outer sill heavily corroded

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Offside Front Inner sill heavily corroded

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

Offside Front Outer sill holed by corrosion

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

Offside Rear rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively 40 kpf at 150 kpf (3.7.B.3)

Oil leak ()

Pass 26 Jul 2016 146,660 miles

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

exhaust tailpipe corroded

Pass 22 Jul 2015 143,760 miles
Fail 22 Jul 2015 143,760 miles

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 24 Jul 2014 129,655 miles

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

Nearside Front Front suspension 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

driver door step fitted and has a cover fitted

sills and sill ends corroded

tail pipe corroded

Fail 24 Jul 2014 129,655 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Front suspension 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

driver door step fitted and has a cover fitted

sills and sill ends corroded

tail pipe corroded

Pass 11 Jul 2013 136,446 miles

both front coil springs corroded

both front lower ball joint dust covers perished

both front upper ball joint dust covers perished

both track rod end dust covers perished

nearside front tyre on 2mm outer

offside front light lenses cracked

offside front tyre on 2mm inner

offside front wheel binding by hand

oil leak

rear discs pitted and corroded

rear exhaust tail pipe corroded

Pass 26 Jul 2012 134,469 miles

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

front brake pads wearing

Fail 26 Jul 2012 134,462 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

front brake pads wearing

Pass 18 Jul 2011 129,458 miles
Fail 15 Jul 2011 129,452 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 27 Jul 2010 125,392 miles

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

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Oil leak

both rear brake disks corroded

Fail 22 Jul 2010 125,389 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

Nearside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

Oil leak

both rear brake disks corroded

Pass 15 Jul 2009 120,201 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak

Fail 2 Jul 2009 119,936 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak

Pass 17 Jul 2008 115,397 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Fail 25 Jul 2007 109,097 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Pass 25 Jul 2007 109,097 miles
Pass 26 Jul 2006 103,441 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2006 103,441 miles

Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear Body has a projection caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

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

H972 EFC is a 1990 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 1990 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.2% with a typical mileage of 116,196 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 H972 EFC, 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 36 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 H972 EFC?

You can check the full history of H972 EFC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was H972 EFC registered?

H972 EFC is a 1990 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 21 August 1990.

Is H972 EFC safe to buy?

The MOT history for H972 EFC shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does H972 EFC 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 H972 EFC. 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.