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P151 SMJ

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires24 Apr 2027
Tests37 (19 pass, 18 fail)
Pass rate51.4%

Mileage

113,682 mi
Last recorded113,682 miles
Recorded on25 Apr 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

RegistrationP151 SMJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

19 pass 18 fail
Pass 25 Apr 2026 113,682 miles

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

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive Engine, Gearbox and rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Fail 29 Jan 2026 113,436 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))

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure is deformed and structural rigidity is significantly reduced Sill (6.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Underside generally corroded front & rear

Pass 28 Jan 2025 104,971 miles

Coolant leak Radiator ()

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Fail 28 Jan 2025 104,971 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

Coolant leak Radiator ()

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

Pass 3 Feb 2024 94,654 miles

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

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Fail 3 Feb 2024 94,654 miles

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

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

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Rear Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

Pass 1 Feb 2023 80,827 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.5.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 27 Jan 2023 80,600 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Floor/Inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Floor/Inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Chassis rail - marked in yellow (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.5.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 5 Mar 2022 78,094 miles

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

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

under body corrosion

Fail 5 Mar 2022 78,094 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction inoperative (8.2.1.2 (h))

Offside Driver's airbag missing (7.1.5 (a))

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

under body corrosion

Pass 1 Mar 2021 74,548 miles
Fail 25 Feb 2021 74,537 miles

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

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached loose (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached loose (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Fail 4 Feb 2021 74,523 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Fail 29 Mar 2020 74,415 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 hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade missing (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper missing (3.4 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear (4.7.1 (a))

Offside Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear (4.7.1 (a))

Pass 22 Mar 2019 67,339 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Apr 2017 66,268 miles

advise small area of corrosion on o s r inner wheel arch advise repair

Pass 20 Apr 2016 64,661 miles

Offside Rear inner wheelarch corroded

Fail 15 Mar 2016 64,311 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wheel arch (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner wheel arch (5.2.6)

Pass 30 Mar 2015 63,729 miles

Nail in offside rear tyre

Fail 23 Mar 2015 63,725 miles

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen has damage to an area in excess of a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Nail in offside rear tyre

Pass 19 Mar 2014 63,187 miles

Corrosion developing to offside and nearside front brake disc face

Pass 10 Apr 2013 62,266 miles
Fail 28 Mar 2013 62,264 miles

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

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

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

Fail 19 Mar 2012 61,236 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 19 Mar 2012 61,236 miles

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

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

Pass 25 Mar 2011 60,171 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2011 60,171 miles

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

Pass 1 Apr 2010 57,266 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Fail 26 Mar 2010 57,237 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

Pass 30 Mar 2009 54,938 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Fail 20 Mar 2009 54,875 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 20 Mar 2008 52,881 miles
Fail 19 Mar 2008 52,879 miles

Nearside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 20 Mar 2007 49,657 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2007 49,656 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 21 Mar 2006 47,071 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2006 47,062 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

front brake readings unsteady

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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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

P151 SMJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.4%.

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 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 P151 SMJ, 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 P151 SMJ?

You can check the full history of P151 SMJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P151 SMJ registered?

P151 SMJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 27 May 1997.

Is P151 SMJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for P151 SMJ shows 37 tests with a 51.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P151 SMJ 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 P151 SMJ. 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.