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P303 LDA

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires14 Feb 2026
Tests25 (17 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate68%

Mileage

133,200 mi
Last recorded133,200 miles
Recorded on15 Feb 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP303 LDA
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

17 pass 8 fail
Pass 15 Feb 2025 133,200 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Center pipe to cat (6.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

Various previous welding repairs covered in underseal

Pass 13 May 2022 131,471 miles

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

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside and offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement on limit now (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively on limit now (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

oil residue engine/gearbox/steering rack areas

Fail 13 May 2022 131,463 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn loose (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm insecurely attached washer missing (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement nearside and offside (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement on limit now (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively on limit now (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

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

oil residue engine/gearbox/steering rack areas

Pass 23 Oct 2020 131,430 miles
Fail 19 Oct 2020 131,420 miles

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

Pass 4 Nov 2019 129,061 miles

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

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

Pass 1 Jun 2018 127,564 miles
Pass 1 Jun 2017 127,413 miles

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

Pass 4 May 2016 124,951 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Fail 7 May 2015 116,682 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

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

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

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

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

Pass 7 May 2015 116,682 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 4 May 2014 107,101 miles

Nearside Rear 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 13 Mar 2013 97,771 miles

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

Nearside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

rear brake pads approx 3mm

Fail 5 Mar 2013 97,760 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Nearside Rear Upper Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

front brake pads approx 3mm

rear brake pads approx 3mm

Pass 5 Mar 2012 91,815 miles

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

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

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

Pass 2 Mar 2011 88,228 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2011 88,217 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 1 Mar 2010 83,614 miles

All four tyres have cracking in tread valleys

Brake pedal anti slip rubber slightly worn

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

Front number plate plinth broken

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear exhaust fouls on subframe

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

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

Fail 5 Mar 2009 77,888 miles

Front number plate plinth smashed and number plate is cracked.

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Pass 5 Mar 2009 77,888 miles

Front number plate plinth smashed and number plate is cracked.

Fail 2 Mar 2009 77,882 miles

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

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

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Front number plate plinth smashed and number plate is cracked.

Nearside parking brake is 60Kgf less than the Offside

Pass 4 Mar 2008 73,026 miles
Fail 3 Mar 2008 73,026 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 20 Dec 2006 70,514 miles
Pass 19 Dec 2005 64,258 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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P303 LDA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68%.

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 P303 LDA, 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 P303 LDA?

You can check the full history of P303 LDA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P303 LDA registered?

P303 LDA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 14 February 1997.

Is P303 LDA safe to buy?

The MOT history for P303 LDA shows 25 tests with a 68% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P303 LDA 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 P303 LDA. 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.