CarVerify

Free Car Check

N97 BRD

1997 Mazda MX-5

Purple Petrol 1837cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires11 Jan 2026
Tests28 (20 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate71.4%

Mileage

56,753 mi
Last recorded56,753 miles
Recorded on8 Jan 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
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationN97 BRD
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourPurple
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,837cc

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 8 fail
Pass 8 Jan 2025 56,753 miles

Nearside Rear Outer sill corroding

Offside Rear Outer sill corroding

Fail 8 Jan 2025 56,753 miles

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

Nearside Rear Outer sill corroding

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

Offside Rear Outer sill corroding

Pass 2 Jan 2024 52,189 miles

Headlamp lens slightly defective NON E MARKED LAMPS FITTED (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Pass 4 Jan 2023 42,182 miles

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

Headlamps fitted both have no kick up to near side.

Pass 12 Jan 2022 32,572 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases behind catalyst (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 7 Jan 2022 32,565 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases behind catalyst (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 19 Jul 2021 32,522 miles
Fail 19 Jul 2021 32,522 miles

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

Pass 20 Jul 2020 32,371 miles
Pass 23 Jul 2019 32,260 miles

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

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 26 Jul 2018 32,124 miles
Pass 11 Jul 2017 31,968 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2017 31,968 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 27 Jul 2016 31,683 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2015 31,377 miles
Fail 6 Aug 2015 31,377 miles

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

Pass 9 Jun 2014 31,059 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2013 30,868 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2012 30,636 miles
Fail 11 Jun 2012 30,636 miles

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

Pass 7 Jun 2011 30,415 miles
Fail 7 Jun 2011 30,415 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

nearside front tyre cracking

Pass 24 Jun 2010 30,256 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2009 30,107 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2008 29,848 miles
Pass 27 Jun 2007 29,575 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2007 29,572 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

Pass 6 Jun 2006 28,791 miles

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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

N97 BRD is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Purple with a 1,837cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 71.4%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 N97 BRD, 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 N97 BRD?

You can check the full history of N97 BRD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N97 BRD registered?

N97 BRD is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 25 November 1997.

Is N97 BRD safe to buy?

The MOT history for N97 BRD shows 28 tests with a 71.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N97 BRD 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 N97 BRD. 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.