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L477 XLL

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Mar 2026
Tests24 (15 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

196,847 mi
Last recorded196,847 miles
Recorded on22 Mar 2025
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

RegistrationL477 XLL
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc

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 9 fail
Pass 22 Mar 2025 196,847 miles
Pass 22 Dec 2023 191,341 miles
Pass 25 Oct 2022 84,046 miles
Pass 27 Jul 2021 174,631 miles

Offside Front Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

all under body undersealed

Fail 19 Jul 2021 174,631 miles

Emissions not tested cat missing (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light wrong colour (4.5.4 (a))

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

Offside Front Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

all under body undersealed

Pass 28 May 2020 168,240 miles
Fail 28 May 2020 168,235 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 28 Jun 2019 167,856 miles

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

Fail 27 Jun 2019 167,851 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassie leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 18 Apr 2018 164,794 miles

Default emission limits used engine code not on system.

Fail 10 Apr 2018 164,730 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Fail 2 Dec 2017 164,669 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Pass 2 Apr 2016 162,018 miles

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both. (3.5.1i)

Offside Front tyre tread wearing on edge

outer sills corroding

Fail 22 Mar 2016 161,974 miles

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

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

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Front tyre tread wearing on edge

outer sills corroding

Pass 22 Oct 2014 161,882 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2013 161,057 miles

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

Oil leak

deterioration of offside front Tyre outer sidewall close to limits

Pass 24 Sep 2012 155,184 miles

Start of corrosion on both rear wheelarches

Tread on inner part of both front Tyres getting low

Pass 20 Sep 2011 151,031 miles

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)

start of corrosion on both rear wheelarches

start of corrosion on underside of vehicle

Fail 19 Sep 2011 151,031 miles

Rear registration plate character(s) not correctly formed (6.3.4b)

Rear registration plate with character(s) which are not of equal width along their entire length (6.3.4a)

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)

start of corrosion on both rear wheelarches

start of corrosion on underside of vehicle

Pass 27 Sep 2010 145,057 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2010 144,777 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Pass 26 Jun 2009 130,701 miles
Fail 24 Jun 2009 130,700 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 7 May 2008 107,695 miles

Nearside Outer Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Offside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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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L477 XLL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 L477 XLL, 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 L477 XLL?

You can check the full history of L477 XLL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L477 XLL registered?

L477 XLL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 22 August 1997.

Is L477 XLL safe to buy?

The MOT history for L477 XLL shows 24 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L477 XLL 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 L477 XLL. 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.