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P183 SWS

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Jul 2026
Tests31 (17 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate54.8%

Mileage

182,713 mi
Last recorded182,713 miles
Recorded on19 Jul 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP183 SWS
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

17 pass 14 fail
Pass 19 Jul 2025 182,713 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2022 178,771 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 6 Jun 2022 178,764 miles

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has excessive play Inner rack joint (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Central Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 5 Jun 2021 164,027 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (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 5 Jun 2021 164,027 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 17 Jul 2020 154,121 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Jul 2020 153,900 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Jun 2020 152,955 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coolant leak

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))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive chassis leg (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2019 150,050 miles

near side and off side rear outter sills rusty

near side and off side rear wheel arches rusty and hold

Fail 19 Aug 2019 150,050 miles

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

near side and off side rear outter sills rusty

near side and off side rear wheel arches rusty and hold

near side front tyre worn on outter tread

Pass 25 Aug 2018 149,746 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Hub Ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated Hub ball joint (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Rear suspension bush perished

Pass 20 Jun 2017 143,878 miles

condensation front lamps

h/b not locking

n/s/f tyre cracking sidewall

Fail 20 Jun 2017 143,873 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

condensation front lamps

h/b not locking

n/s/f tyre cracking sidewall

Pass 10 Aug 2016 143,328 miles
Fail 5 Aug 2016 143,324 miles

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

rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Pass 17 Aug 2015 141,994 miles

Nearside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (5.2.6)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Fail 7 Aug 2015 141,981 miles

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

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Nearside Lower Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sill (5.2.6)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Upper Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 16 Jul 2014 137,937 miles

Offside Rear Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 12 Jul 2014 137,913 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Direction indicator damaged, but still visible from a reasonable distance (1.4.A.2e)

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

nearside front damper weak

Pass 7 Aug 2013 137,135 miles

all brake discs coroded

Fail 29 Jul 2013 137,134 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth (3.3.A.1b)

Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (7.1.4)

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

all brake discs coroded

Pass 24 Apr 2012 135,056 miles

nearside rear tyre wearing low on inner edge and nail in tread

Fail 5 Apr 2011 127,991 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

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

rear discs pitted and rusty

Pass 5 Apr 2011 127,991 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

rear discs pitted and rusty

Pass 25 Mar 2010 122,323 miles

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

advise brake pedal rubber worn

advise front number plate damaged

Fail 25 Mar 2010 122,323 miles

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

advise brake pedal rubber worn

advise front number plate damaged

Pass 20 Mar 2009 116,388 miles

Offside rear lower sill panel suface corroded

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

Pass 20 Feb 2008 111,328 miles

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

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

Fail 19 Feb 2008 111,328 miles

Offside Front An item not tested (Manual)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Fail 20 Feb 2007 104,683 miles

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

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 20 Feb 2007 104,683 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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P183 SWS is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.8%.

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 P183 SWS, 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 P183 SWS?

You can check the full history of P183 SWS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P183 SWS registered?

P183 SWS is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 22 January 1997.

Is P183 SWS safe to buy?

The MOT history for P183 SWS shows 31 tests with a 54.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P183 SWS 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 P183 SWS. 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.