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L824 XHU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1798cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires2 Jul 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

90,081 mi
Last recorded90,081 miles
Recorded on12 Jun 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationL824 XHU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,798cc

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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 12 Jun 2025 90,081 miles

Corrosion to N/S/F wing

Corrosion to O/S/R sill

Corrosion to rear sub-frame/suspension components

Damage to rear bumper

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust noisy

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (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 Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Sill covers fitted

Wheel arch covers fitted

Fail 10 Jun 2025 90,081 miles

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

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

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

Corrosion to N/S/F wing

Corrosion to O/S/R sill

Corrosion to rear sub-frame/suspension components

Damage to rear bumper

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust noisy

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

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

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

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

Nearside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (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 Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering pipe/hose slightly corroded (2.1.5 (g) (i))

Sill covers fitted

Wheel arch covers fitted

Pass 3 Jul 2024 89,120 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Nearside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Nearside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Jul 2023 132,411 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2022 129,208 miles

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

Pass 28 Jun 2021 124,506 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

areas of vehicle underbody corroded

chassis rails damaged

suspension component's corroded

Pass 2 Jul 2020 124,083 miles

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

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

corrosion to offside rear outer sill

Pass 7 Sep 2018 124,076 miles

Rear Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 24 Aug 2018 124,070 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 24 May 2017 122,507 miles
Fail 22 May 2017 122,505 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 20 May 2016 120,012 miles

Front and rear brakes slightly imbalanced

Oil leak

Suspension components corroded

Fail 5 May 2016 119,986 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Pass 25 Apr 2015 117,047 miles
Pass 7 May 2014 112,608 miles

nearside outer sill weak

Fail 1 May 2014 112,608 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

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

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

nearside outer sill weak

Pass 24 Jul 2013 109,256 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Oil leak

both outer sills rusty

Fail 19 Jul 2013 109,255 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Nearside Outer Front Brake pad(s) insecure (3.5.1g) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

Oil leak

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

both outer sills rusty

Pass 11 Jul 2012 108,448 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2011 106,659 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2011 106,646 miles

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

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

Nearside Front All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Pass 10 Jul 2010 100,863 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2010 100,857 miles

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Pass 8 Jul 2009 97,819 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Fail 8 Jul 2009 97,819 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 7 Aug 2008 95,014 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2008 95,014 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off (1.4.B.1f)

Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on (1.4.B.1f)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 2 Jul 2007 91,716 miles

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)

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

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L824 XHU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,798cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 L824 XHU, 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 L824 XHU?

You can check the full history of L824 XHU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L824 XHU registered?

L824 XHU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 June 1997.

Is L824 XHU safe to buy?

The MOT history for L824 XHU shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L824 XHU 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 L824 XHU. 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.