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P278 OHL

1997 Mazda MX-5

Blue Petrol 1830cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Apr 2027
Tests15 (13 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate86.7%

Mileage

166,805 mi
Last recorded166,805 miles
Recorded on9 Apr 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

RegistrationP278 OHL
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,830cc

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

13 pass 2 fail
Pass 9 Apr 2026 166,805 miles
Pass 25 Jul 2025 165,453 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 22 Jul 2025 165,440 miles

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

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 18 Jul 2024 160,549 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm damaged but not seriously weakened Wishbone damaged and slightly out of shape. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Pass 17 Jul 2023 158,817 miles

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

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

Pass 18 Jul 2022 157,323 miles

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

Pass 24 Jul 2021 154,755 miles

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

Pass 15 Aug 2020 153,872 miles

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

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

Pass 30 Mar 2019 151,047 miles

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

Pass 17 Mar 2018 148,811 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm damaged but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Underside cover fitted.

Pass 25 Mar 2017 145,274 miles
Pass 19 Mar 2016 141,397 miles

Underside cover fitted.

Pass 1 Apr 2015 138,507 miles
Pass 17 Apr 2014 134,650 miles
Fail 16 Apr 2014 134,650 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

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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P278 OHL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Blue with a 1,830cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 86.7%.

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 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 P278 OHL, 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 P278 OHL?

You can check the full history of P278 OHL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P278 OHL registered?

P278 OHL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P278 OHL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P278 OHL shows 15 tests with a 86.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P278 OHL 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 P278 OHL. 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.