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M247 DEX

1997 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Oct 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

176,944 mi
Last recorded176,944 miles
Recorded on12 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationM247 DEX
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 12 Sep 2025 176,944 miles
Pass 10 Sep 2024 171,807 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2023 169,404 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2022 167,711 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2021 165,651 miles
Fail 16 Sep 2021 164,745 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Pass 23 Sep 2020 164,139 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2020 164,132 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 23 Sep 2019 163,510 miles

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

Fail 23 Sep 2019 163,500 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Parking brake lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment (1.1.6 (c))

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

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

Pass 13 Sep 2018 162,504 miles
Pass 20 Sep 2017 158,726 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2017 158,726 miles

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (7.1.3)

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)

Pass 8 Oct 2016 147,460 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

unable to assess welding repairs due to thick under seal applied

Pass 9 Nov 2015 133,335 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 7 Nov 2015 133,316 miles

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)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 1 Nov 2014 126,545 miles

Coolant leak

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Fail 1 Nov 2014 126,545 miles

Coolant leak

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Pass 20 Nov 2013 119,976 miles
Fail 18 Nov 2013 119,955 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 27 Nov 2012 116,871 miles
Fail 27 Nov 2012 116,871 miles

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

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

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

Pass 18 Nov 2011 113,386 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Fail 18 Nov 2011 113,386 miles

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Pass 18 Nov 2010 109,714 miles
Fail 18 Nov 2010 109,714 miles

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

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 20 Nov 2009 106,254 miles

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

Fail 20 Nov 2009 106,254 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 17 Nov 2008 102,697 miles

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Pass 16 Nov 2007 97,918 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2006 91,980 miles

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

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

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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M247 DEX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 M247 DEX, 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 M247 DEX?

You can check the full history of M247 DEX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was M247 DEX registered?

M247 DEX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 2 July 1997.

Is M247 DEX safe to buy?

The MOT history for M247 DEX shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does M247 DEX 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 M247 DEX. 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.