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P103 GRC

1997 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Oct 2026
Tests27 (20 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate74.1%

Mileage

94,109 mi
Last recorded94,109 miles
Recorded on4 Oct 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP103 GRC
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlue
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

20 pass 7 fail
Pass 4 Oct 2025 94,109 miles

Nearside Rear Outer sill corroded

Offside Rear Outer sill corroded

coolant leak

Fail 23 Aug 2025 94,002 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Pass 22 Aug 2024 90,437 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill panel (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Fail 17 Aug 2024 90,437 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect bulb fallen out (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill panel (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 11 May 2023 86,517 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))

exhaust weld in places with slight leaks

heavy corrosion front and rear chassis and suspensions

Fail 14 Apr 2023 86,510 miles

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

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

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

Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively corroded (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Pass 1 Apr 2022 85,750 miles

Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sills both sides (5.3.6 (a) (i))

some parts of underside corroded

Pass 23 Feb 2021 84,434 miles

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

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

Fail 23 Feb 2021 84,434 miles

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

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

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

Pass 23 Mar 2020 79,655 miles
Pass 3 Jul 2019 75,197 miles

under side of vehicle undersealed

Pass 24 May 2018 74,559 miles

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

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

Rear suspension arms underseald

Fail 24 May 2018 74,559 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt boot insacure (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Rear suspension arms underseald

Pass 3 May 2017 74,167 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 2 May 2017 74,167 miles

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 9 May 2016 73,628 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened n/s+o/s (2.4.G.1)

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened n/s+o/s (2.4.G.1)

Vehicle freshly undersealed

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion o/s/r wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Pass 8 May 2015 73,150 miles

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

Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Oil leak

Pass 12 May 2014 72,017 miles

Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Fail 8 May 2014 72,015 miles

Nearside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

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

Front Lower Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 21 May 2013 71,073 miles

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 13 Feb 2012 68,492 miles

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 10 Mar 2011 65,431 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

all brake discs corroded

rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 4 Feb 2010 61,122 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

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

Offside Outer Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 4 Feb 2009 58,981 miles
Pass 4 Feb 2008 57,645 miles
Pass 2 Feb 2007 55,258 miles
Pass 1 Feb 2006 53,496 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

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P103 GRC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 74.1%.

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 P103 GRC, 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 P103 GRC?

You can check the full history of P103 GRC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P103 GRC registered?

P103 GRC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P103 GRC safe to buy?

The MOT history for P103 GRC shows 27 tests with a 74.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P103 GRC 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 P103 GRC. 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.