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P197 MKN

1997 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Jul 2027
Tests21 (16 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate76.2%

Mileage

134,938 mi
Last recorded134,938 miles
Recorded on26 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP197 MKN
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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

16 pass 5 fail
Pass 26 Jun 2026 134,938 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2025 134,713 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2024 133,791 miles
Fail 26 Apr 2024 133,782 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Pass 23 Aug 2022 133,301 miles
Fail 23 Aug 2022 133,292 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Rear fog lamp switch inoperative (4.5.3 (a))

Pass 9 Jul 2021 130,904 miles
Fail 21 May 2021 130,840 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 16 Apr 2019 129,386 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Pass 12 Jan 2018 129,127 miles
Pass 24 Sep 2015 129,099 miles
Pass 18 Jul 2014 126,830 miles
Pass 29 May 2013 120,903 miles
Fail 20 May 2013 120,900 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

Pass 24 Mar 2011 117,345 miles

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

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

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

Offside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

Pass 12 Mar 2010 109,970 miles

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

Pass 25 Mar 2009 102,062 miles
Pass 22 Mar 2008 94,730 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2008 94,730 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 20 Mar 2007 89,855 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nail in offside rear tyre

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

handbrake requires slight adjustment

Pass 28 Mar 2006 80,235 miles

handbrake long travel

rear number plate delaminating

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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P197 MKN is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 76.2%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P197 MKN, 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 P197 MKN?

You can check the full history of P197 MKN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P197 MKN registered?

P197 MKN is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P197 MKN safe to buy?

The MOT history for P197 MKN shows 21 tests with a 76.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P197 MKN 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 P197 MKN. 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.