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L497 GTF

1994 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1597cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires10 Jun 2026
Tests33 (19 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate57.6%

Mileage

156,178 mi
Last recorded156,178 miles
Recorded on11 Jun 2025
Typical for 1994 Mazda MX-5104,077 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL497 GTF
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1994
ColourRed
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 14 fail
Pass 11 Jun 2025 156,178 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill end (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 10 Jun 2025 156,171 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill end (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 May 2024 156,132 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2022 153,864 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

vehicle under seal in some areas limited inspection

Fail 9 Nov 2022 153,826 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working sidelight (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner/outer sill marked (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

vehicle under seal in some areas limited inspection

Pass 27 Sep 2021 152,465 miles

Front Inner Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2020 150,408 miles

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

corrosion on suspension components

corrosion on under body sills

Fail 28 Sep 2020 150,404 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side low (1.4.1 (a))

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

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

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

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

corrosion on suspension components

corrosion on under body sills

Pass 3 Sep 2019 147,946 miles

corrosion to brake pipes

cracking and perishing to suspension bushes

uder body corroded

Pass 3 Sep 2018 143,631 miles

oil leaks around engine and gearbox.

underbody and various suspension components corroded.

various brake pipes heavily corroded.

Fail 3 Sep 2018 143,629 miles

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

oil leaks around engine and gearbox.

underbody and various suspension components corroded.

various brake pipes heavily corroded.

Pass 4 Sep 2017 137,260 miles

misting of oil on engine and gearbox

rear brake discs corroded

steel brake pipes corroding

steering and suspension components corroding

steering and suspension components corroding

underbody surface corrosion

Fail 4 Sep 2017 137,259 miles

Offside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage missing bush missing (2.4.G.1)

misting of oil on engine and gearbox

rear brake discs corroded

steel brake pipes corroding

steering and suspension components corroding

steering and suspension components corroding

underbody surface corrosion

Pass 30 Aug 2016 130,962 miles

brake pipes corroded

under body corroded

Fail 26 Aug 2016 130,960 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

brake pipes corroded

under body corroded

Pass 16 Jul 2015 122,965 miles

general surface corrosion to all underbody components

nearside front coil spring heavily corroded

nearside front track rod end gaitor deteriorated /perishing

nearside front upper suspension arm ball joint gaitor deteriorated / perishing

nearside rear drop link bushes perishing / cracked

offside door mirror glass cracked

offside front coil spring heavily corroded

offside front trak rod end gaitor deteriorated / perishing

offside front upper suspension arm ball joint gaitor deteriorated / perishing

offside rear drop link bushes perishing / cracked

Fail 13 Jul 2015 122,965 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

general surface corrosion to all underbody components

nearside front coil spring heavily corroded

nearside front track rod end gaitor deteriorated /perishing

nearside front upper suspension arm ball joint gaitor deteriorated / perishing

nearside rear drop link bushes perishing / cracked

offside door mirror glass cracked

offside front coil spring heavily corroded

offside front trak rod end gaitor deteriorated / perishing

offside front upper suspension arm ball joint gaitor deteriorated / perishing

offside rear drop link bushes perishing / cracked

Pass 15 Jul 2014 114,417 miles

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 15 Jul 2014 114,417 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

Fail 20 Jul 2013 105,112 miles

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

Pass 20 Jul 2013 105,112 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2012 98,921 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2012 98,920 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 30 Jun 2011 92,120 miles

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

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

Offside outer sill corroded

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

both inner sills corroded

Pass 2 Jul 2010 84,326 miles

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

all front and rear suspension bushes dry and deteriorating

all front and rear suspension components rusty

clutch slave cylinder leaking

Fail 26 Jun 2010 84,151 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

all front and rear suspension bushes dry and deteriorating

all front and rear suspension components rusty

clutch slave cylinder leaking

Pass 1 Jul 2009 81,101 miles

nearside front body damaged (not sharp edges)

under body corroded

Fail 17 Jun 2009 81,090 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Front registration plate letter/figure incomplete (6.3.1c)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

nearside front body damaged (not sharp edges)

under body corroded

Pass 4 Jan 2008 66,271 miles
Fail 4 Jan 2008 66,269 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 12 Jan 2007 60,263 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2006 60,128 miles
Fail 11 Jan 2006 60,128 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order (not working) (1.2.4a)

Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order (not working) (1.2.4a)

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

L497 GTF is a 1994 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,597cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.6%.

Across all 1994 Mazda MX-5 models, the average MOT pass rate is 68.8% with a typical mileage of 104,077 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 L497 GTF, 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 32 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 L497 GTF?

You can check the full history of L497 GTF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L497 GTF registered?

L497 GTF is a 1994 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 9 February 1994.

Is L497 GTF safe to buy?

The MOT history for L497 GTF shows 33 tests with a 57.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L497 GTF 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 L497 GTF. 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.