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P166 SNK

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 2967cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires16 May 2026
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

147,564 mi
Last recorded147,564 miles
Recorded on17 May 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP166 SNK
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,967cc

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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 17 May 2025 147,564 miles
Pass 10 Feb 2023 146,865 miles

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres splitting (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 10 Feb 2023 146,865 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All tyres splitting (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 20 Aug 2022 146,861 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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge all 4 inner edge and perished/cracking (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 18 Aug 2021 145,807 miles
Pass 28 Aug 2020 144,468 miles
Pass 2 Apr 2019 143,888 miles

Front anti roll bar drop link rabbers perished

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front tyre worn inner shoulder

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front shock causing corroded

Offside Front tyre worn inner shoulder

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear outer lower wheel arch corroded

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

long hand brake travel

Fail 2 Apr 2019 143,888 miles

Offside Front Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury wing (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Stop lamp(s) not working high level brake in op (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front anti roll bar drop link rabbers perished

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front tyre worn inner shoulder

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front shock causing corroded

Offside Front tyre worn inner shoulder

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Rear outer lower wheel arch corroded

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

long hand brake travel

Pass 27 Nov 2017 140,595 miles

Offside Rear wing corroded

front to rear various suspension components corroded to excess

Fail 23 Nov 2017 140,595 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded marked with yellow wax (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded marked with yellow wax (5.2.6)

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

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded marked with yellow wax (5.2.6)

Offside Rear wing corroded

front to rear various suspension components corroded to excess

Pass 18 Nov 2016 135,790 miles

Oil leak ()

Fail 18 Nov 2016 135,790 miles

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

Offside Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release Seat buckle (5.2.5a)

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

Offside Front Steering system lightly rubbing on wheel arch (2.2.D.2a)

Oil leak ()

Rear Number plate lights incorrect colour

Pass 7 Nov 2015 131,082 miles

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

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

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

Pass 21 Nov 2014 128,390 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 21 Nov 2014 128,390 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 2 Aug 2013 124,242 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

offside front tyre valve slightly deteriorated

surface corrosion to offside front and nearside rear wheel arches, offside front chassis rail, front subframe, both inner sills and both outer sills

washer bottle insecure

wipers beginging to smear

Fail 29 Jul 2013 124,242 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone 'A' (8.3.1b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) slightly corroded (2.3.2)

offside front tyre valve slightly deteriorated

surface corrosion to offside front and nearside rear wheel arches, offside front chassis rail, front subframe, both inner sills and both outer sills

washer bottle insecure

wipers beginging to smear

Pass 19 Jul 2012 107,043 miles
Pass 11 Aug 2011 106,853 miles
Fail 3 Aug 2011 106,850 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

offside front brake dragging?

Pass 24 Jul 2010 106,663 miles
Fail 23 Jul 2010 106,660 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Pass 18 Jun 2009 101,416 miles

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Fail 15 Jun 2009 101,416 miles

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

Front Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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

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

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Fail 29 Apr 2009 101,309 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 5 Aug 2008 97,864 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2007 88,244 miles

both rear tyres on 1.6mm legal limit.

Pass 25 Aug 2006 80,722 miles

handbrake pereformance loww

sills corroding

suspension components corroding

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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P166 SNK is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 2,967cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 P166 SNK, 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 P166 SNK?

You can check the full history of P166 SNK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P166 SNK registered?

P166 SNK is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 26 March 1997.

Is P166 SNK safe to buy?

The MOT history for P166 SNK shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P166 SNK 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 P166 SNK. 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.