CarVerify

Free Car Check

P252 AEL

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Dec 2026
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

82,146 mi
Last recorded82,146 miles
Recorded on12 Dec 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
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationP252 AEL
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 12 Dec 2025 82,146 miles

Long hand brake travel. general underside corrosion.

Fail 11 Dec 2025 82,143 miles

Offside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Centre inner sill corroded and holed. (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Long hand brake travel. general underside corrosion.

Pass 18 Dec 2024 81,610 miles

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

Fail 9 Dec 2024 81,592 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

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

Pass 5 Dec 2023 81,442 miles

under tray fitted + general corrosion

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both pipe from front to rear. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material close to brake hose. (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 30 Nov 2023 81,437 miles

Offside Rear Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury outer sill (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both pipe from front to rear. (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material close to brake hose. (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

under tray fitted + general corrosion

Pass 20 Dec 2022 81,294 miles

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

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

under tray fitted.under side slightly corroded.n/s/r/coil spring slightly corroded.

Fail 7 Dec 2022 81,291 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

under tray fitted.under side slightly corroded.n/s/r/coil spring slightly corroded.

Pass 24 Nov 2021 80,812 miles

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both Sides Suspension, Suspension Arm & Components. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both Sides Suspension, Suspension Arm & Components. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Undersides General Surface Corrosion.

Fail 22 Nov 2021 80,811 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low Both Sides Too Low. (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Inner, Outer Sills & Jacking Point Corroded. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both Sides Suspension, Suspension Arm & Components. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened Both Sides Suspension, Suspension Arm & Components. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Undersides General Surface Corrosion.

Pass 25 Nov 2020 79,803 miles

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

hand brake slightly corroded.petrol cap seal slightly poor condition.under side slightly corroded.

Fail 18 Nov 2020 79,802 miles

Offside Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury inner sill (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury outer sill (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Rear Body panel corroded and likely to cause injury both side inner wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

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

hand brake slightly corroded.petrol cap seal slightly poor condition.under side slightly corroded.

Pass 3 May 2019 79,116 miles

Fluid leak from clutch hydraulic slave cylinder.

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

Fail 2 May 2019 79,115 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Blow at rear of catalyst joint. (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fluid leak from clutch hydraulic slave cylinder.

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

Pass 16 May 2018 76,531 miles
Pass 23 May 2017 72,940 miles
Pass 27 May 2016 67,768 miles

advanced corrosion offside and nearside rear lower outer door sills (double skined)

Pass 11 Jul 2014 66,207 miles

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

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

Pass 17 Jul 2013 62,360 miles

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Pass 27 Jul 2012 60,622 miles

Corrosion on front and rear subframes and suspention components.

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

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

Offside Front 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 17 Jul 2012 60,593 miles

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside 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)

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

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

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

Corrosion on front and rear subframes and suspention components.

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

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

Nearside rear tyre low on pressure.

Offside Front 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 15 Jun 2011 54,448 miles

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

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 10 Jun 2010 49,927 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Jun 2009 43,169 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2009 43,169 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Tyre(s) incorrect because a lightweight or space saving wheel is fitted (4.1.A.1b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 17 Jun 2008 43,165 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2007 41,761 miles
Pass 1 Jun 2006 41,244 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P252 AEL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

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 P252 AEL, 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 P252 AEL?

You can check the full history of P252 AEL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P252 AEL registered?

P252 AEL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 21 February 1997.

Is P252 AEL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P252 AEL shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P252 AEL 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 P252 AEL. 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.