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P157 NKM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Sep 2026
Tests30 (21 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

115,375 mi
Last recorded115,375 miles
Recorded on30 Sep 2025
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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP157 NKM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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

21 pass 9 fail
Pass 30 Sep 2025 115,375 miles

Drive belt worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 185/60/14. Starting to get low also (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Fail 19 Sep 2025 115,363 miles

Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Coolant leak/Boiled over/Car over heating. (Rad cap) (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury Wing/Arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating Extremely poor effort/performance also (1.2.1 (e))

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

Drive belt worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Slight imbalance also (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 185/60/14. Starting to get low also (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights ()

Fail 1 Jul 2025 115,265 miles

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected rear of both sills (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Jul 2024 112,605 miles

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

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

Fail 25 Jun 2024 112,603 miles

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill under front wing , by jacking point (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 16 Jun 2023 109,948 miles

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

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

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

Pass 20 Jun 2022 106,770 miles

Offside Front Body panel slightly loose wing corroded (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 28 Jun 2021 103,811 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2021 103,806 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Pass 1 Jul 2020 101,136 miles

Coil spring corroded all four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 10 Jul 2019 98,550 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 26 Jun 2019 98,546 miles

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Jul 2018 97,197 miles

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

Fail 3 Jul 2018 97,197 miles

Headlamp aim too low both (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 3 Jul 2017 95,179 miles
Pass 28 Jun 2016 93,636 miles
Pass 25 Jun 2015 92,562 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2014 91,367 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2013 90,137 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Outer Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Pass 16 May 2013 89,933 miles

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 15 May 2012 89,063 miles

Nearside Outer Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 4 May 2011 86,954 miles
Pass 7 May 2010 82,546 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

suspension corrosion

Fail 5 May 2010 82,539 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

suspension corrosion

Pass 27 May 2009 80,838 miles

Offside Outer Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 26 May 2009 80,837 miles

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

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

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

Offside Outer Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

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

Pass 20 May 2008 75,256 miles

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

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

Fail 20 May 2008 75,256 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 Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Pass 17 May 2007 70,148 miles

small cut n/s front tyre sidewall

Pass 10 May 2006 64,128 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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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.

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P157 NKM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

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 P157 NKM, 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 P157 NKM?

You can check the full history of P157 NKM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P157 NKM registered?

P157 NKM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 30 May 1997.

Is P157 NKM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P157 NKM shows 30 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P157 NKM 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 P157 NKM. 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.