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P121 NOA

1997 Mazda MX-5

White Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires5 May 2027
Tests26 (15 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate57.7%

Mileage

120,032 mi
Last recorded120,032 miles
Recorded on6 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP121 NOA
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourWhite
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

15 pass 11 fail
Pass 6 May 2026 120,032 miles

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 21 Apr 2026 120,006 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Lower suspension arm covered in underseal/wax oil

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

Offside Rear Lower suspension arm covered in underseal/wax oil

Rear Subframe repair covered in underseal/wax oil

Fail 15 Apr 2026 119,997 miles

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Lower suspension arm covered in underseal/wax oil

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

Offside Rear Lower suspension arm covered in underseal/wax oil

Rear Subframe repair covered in underseal/wax oil

Fail 27 Feb 2026 119,988 miles

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))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor pan to inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Floor pan tom inner sill in a couple of places (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Floor pan to inner sill corroded but not within a perscribed area

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 16 Apr 2025 119,670 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2023 119,132 miles
Pass 12 Jul 2019 115,241 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2018 114,819 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2018 114,817 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected sill (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 18 Sep 2017 108,556 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2016 98,395 miles

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

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

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

Fail 21 Sep 2016 98,390 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion wing (6.1.C.1)

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2015 94,876 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 9 Sep 2015 94,868 miles

Battery insecure in boot (1.9.1)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 16 Jul 2014 91,009 miles

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

Fail 10 Jul 2014 91,002 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 15 Apr 2013 78,116 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 15 Apr 2013 87,114 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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

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

Oil leak

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 27 Feb 2013 87,064 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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)

Oil leak

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Fail 19 Feb 2013 87,059 miles

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Nearside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e) DANGEROUS

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

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)

Oil leak

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

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 12 Mar 2011 86,504 miles

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

Fail 5 Mar 2011 86,504 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Nov 2009 80,987 miles

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

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

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)

Pass 24 Oct 2008 73,386 miles
Pass 22 Oct 2007 68,602 miles
Pass 14 Oct 2006 62,309 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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P121 NOA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in White with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.7%.

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 P121 NOA, 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 P121 NOA?

You can check the full history of P121 NOA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P121 NOA registered?

P121 NOA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P121 NOA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P121 NOA shows 26 tests with a 57.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P121 NOA 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 P121 NOA. 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.