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MAZ 5003

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Apr 2027
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

90,834 mi
Last recorded90,834 miles
Recorded on21 Apr 2026
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

RegistrationMAZ 5003
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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 10 fail
Pass 21 Apr 2026 90,834 miles

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

Fail 8 Apr 2026 90,825 miles

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

Emissions unable to be completed Due to exhaust leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired Sill end not welded to outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Box at rear diff area split (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

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

Nearside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 30 Apr 2025 90,796 miles

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

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

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

Fail 29 Apr 2025 90,791 miles

Offside Rear Upper Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component pin or bush excessively worn Hub bush moving in relation to the arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 13 Mar 2023 90,721 miles

Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute all (4.4.4 (a))

Fail 7 Mar 2023 90,716 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour red (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour red (4.4.3 (a))

Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (4.5.4 (a))

Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Direction indicator flashing more than 120 times a minute all (4.4.4 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front washer jet inop

Offside Front Position lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Mar 2022 90,543 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Crack front of centre box (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 10 Mar 2021 90,347 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2021 90,347 miles

Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (4.5.4 (a))

Pass 3 Feb 2020 90,205 miles
Fail 29 Jan 2020 90,200 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative sometimes works both sides / then works only o/s .. then when switched off. o/s indicators on permanently (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements both (0.1 (d))

Nearside Front Coil spring mounting insecure to the extent that relative movement is visible incorrectly assembled! (5.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust mounting defective centre / rear only 1/2 fitted (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 15 Mar 2019 90,045 miles
Fail 12 Mar 2019 90,045 miles

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

Hazard warning lamps operated by more than one switch anti-theft device continuously powering hazards (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Mar 2018 89,861 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2018 89,856 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)

Nearside Rear Braking system leaking Caliper at piston (3.6.A.1)

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

Oil leak sump plug? ()

Pass 17 Feb 2017 89,384 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2017 89,384 miles

Brake pipe inadequately supported Front to rear at offside front chassis leg (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Front Brake hose has insufficient room to move, resulting in fouling on any part Rubbing on tyre on full left lock (3.6.B.4a)

Offside Front Brake hose has insufficient room to move, resulting in fouling on any part Rubbing on tyre on full right lock (3.6.B.4a)

Pass 8 Jun 2015 88,751 miles

Offside rear brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

o/s/r/and n/s/r// sills/ wheel arch area corroded

Pass 27 Jun 2014 88,252 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2013 87,790 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2012 87,424 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2011 87,185 miles

front imbalance of 22% ON BRAKES

Pass 20 Feb 2010 87,046 miles
Pass 21 Feb 2009 85,823 miles
Pass 13 Nov 2007 84,598 miles
Fail 7 Nov 2007 84,598 miles

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

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

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

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

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 19 Oct 2006 82,924 miles

Centre Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 7 Nov 2005 79,233 miles
Fail 3 Nov 2005 79,133 miles

Centre Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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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MAZ 5003 is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

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 MAZ 5003, 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 MAZ 5003?

You can check the full history of MAZ 5003 by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was MAZ 5003 registered?

MAZ 5003 is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 5 April 1997.

Is MAZ 5003 safe to buy?

The MOT history for MAZ 5003 shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does MAZ 5003 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 MAZ 5003. 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.