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P203 PDM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Apr 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

136,826 mi
Last recorded136,826 miles
Recorded on23 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP203 PDM
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

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 23 Apr 2026 136,826 miles

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

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Fail 20 Apr 2026 136,746 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Pass 24 Apr 2025 132,763 miles

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer side sill under wheel arch has slight corrosion

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

corrosion on underside

fuel tank cap seal deteriorating

Fail 15 Apr 2025 132,763 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 carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Outer side sill under wheel arch has slight corrosion

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

corrosion on underside

fuel tank cap seal deteriorating

Fail 7 Apr 2025 132,702 miles

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

Corrosion on underside

Fuel cap seal cracking

Nearside rear outer sill corroded

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Suspension heavily corroded

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

Pass 17 Apr 2024 128,042 miles

Corrosion on underside

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

fuel cap seal cracking

Fail 15 Apr 2024 128,042 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Corrosion on underside

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

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

fuel cap seal cracking

Pass 14 Apr 2023 124,290 miles

Nearside Front sill corroded (hole)

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b) (ii))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both rears (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

corrosion to body and some components

fuel cap seal perished

Pass 11 Apr 2022 120,874 miles

Nearside Rear inner sill corroding (hole)

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

all suspension bushes perishing

exhaust corroding

fuel cap seal cracking

suspension corroding

under-body corroding

Fail 8 Apr 2022 120,789 miles

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear inner sill corroding (hole)

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

all suspension bushes perishing

exhaust corroding

fuel cap seal cracking

suspension corroding

under-body corroding

Pass 9 Apr 2021 119,332 miles
Fail 16 Mar 2021 119,311 miles

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

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

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick both sides (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 3 Jul 2019 116,214 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2018 114,316 miles
Pass 8 May 2017 110,855 miles

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

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

Pass 24 May 2016 107,545 miles

Nearside Front tyre is wearing on outer edge

Offside Front tyre is wearing on outer edge

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed drivers (5.2.2b)

front and rear suspension components corroded

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 26 May 2015 103,068 miles
Pass 28 May 2014 93,102 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

slight rack play

under body corroding

Fail 27 May 2014 93,102 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

under body corroding

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Oil leak

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

slight rack play

Pass 23 May 2013 82,761 miles
Fail 22 May 2013 82,761 miles

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 17 May 2012 72,916 miles

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

condensation in both front indicators

nearside front tyre slight bulge in sidewall

Fail 17 May 2012 72,916 miles

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

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

condensation in both front indicators

nearside front tyre slight bulge in sidewall

Fail 6 May 2011 63,317 miles

Brake pedal spongy (3.3.B.1b)

Pass 6 May 2011 63,317 miles
Pass 30 Apr 2010 52,594 miles
Pass 23 Apr 2009 41,200 miles

Front and rear suspension arms very rusty

Pass 25 Apr 2008 32,782 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2007 29,130 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2006 23,927 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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P203 PDM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 P203 PDM, 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 P203 PDM?

You can check the full history of P203 PDM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P203 PDM registered?

P203 PDM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 21 March 1997.

Is P203 PDM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P203 PDM shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P203 PDM 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 P203 PDM. 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.