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P232 SFM

1997 Mazda MX-5

White Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires27 Aug 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

69,897 mi
Last recorded69,897 miles
Recorded on27 Aug 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP232 SFM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourWhite
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

20 pass 11 fail
Pass 27 Aug 2025 69,897 miles

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

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

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

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

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

steering very hard to turn

Fail 27 Aug 2025 69,889 miles

Offside Front Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Offside Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle very low on performance (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

steering very hard to turn

Pass 8 Aug 2024 69,407 miles

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

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear coated in grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Fail 8 Aug 2024 69,407 miles

Front Registration plate inscription illegible (0.1 (b))

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to rear coated in grease (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 22 Aug 2023 68,554 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 8 Aug 2022 67,509 miles

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread front and rear (0.1 (b))

Fail 5 Aug 2022 67,500 miles

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

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread front and rear (0.1 (b))

Pass 14 Aug 2021 66,396 miles

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread front and rear (0.1 (b))

engine oil leaks

Pass 28 Aug 2020 65,052 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

engine oil leaks

Pass 30 Apr 2019 63,167 miles
Pass 4 May 2018 61,416 miles

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion inner sill (6.1.B.2)

centre brake lamp in op

engine oil leaks

rear tyres perishing

Pass 4 May 2017 60,171 miles

Underside corroded

Pass 4 May 2016 59,441 miles
Fail 3 May 2016 59,441 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 May 2015 58,922 miles

o/s and n/s/r tyres cracking in tread

Pass 6 May 2014 58,036 miles
Fail 2 May 2014 58,036 miles

Nearside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Offside Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Pass 3 May 2013 57,393 miles
Fail 2 May 2013 57,392 miles

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

Nearside Rear Lower Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Pass 25 Apr 2012 56,450 miles

Offside Rear rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 27 Apr 2011 55,678 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2010 54,514 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2010 54,514 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

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

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

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

Pass 27 Apr 2009 53,755 miles
Fail 27 Apr 2009 53,755 miles

Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Pass 24 Apr 2008 52,672 miles

coil springs all round corroding

Fail 24 Apr 2008 52,671 miles

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

coil springs all round corroding

Pass 24 Apr 2007 50,326 miles

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)

Fail 17 Apr 2007 50,272 miles

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nail in offside front tyre

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

Pass 2 May 2006 45,577 miles
Fail 2 May 2006 47,577 miles

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

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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P232 SFM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in White with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

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 P232 SFM, 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 P232 SFM?

You can check the full history of P232 SFM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P232 SFM registered?

P232 SFM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 29 April 1997.

Is P232 SFM safe to buy?

The MOT history for P232 SFM shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P232 SFM 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 P232 SFM. 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.