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P331 VGN

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 May 2027
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

168,165 mi
Last recorded168,165 miles
Recorded on7 May 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

RegistrationP331 VGN
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

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 7 May 2026 168,165 miles
Pass 3 May 2025 166,008 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

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

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 5 May 2024 163,454 miles

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

Brake pad(s) wearing thin Front and Rear (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Brake clevis joint corroded but not seriously weakened NS OS (1.1.15 (b))

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

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Pass 6 May 2023 160,162 miles

Front Brake clevis joint corroded but not seriously weakened (1.1.15 (b))

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Prop shaft joint worn, but not excessively (6.1.7 (c) (i))

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

Pass 10 May 2021 158,739 miles

Nearside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Inner sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Rear Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Outer sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Chassis rail (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security Outer sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Pass 17 Nov 2019 149,957 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

exhaust heat shield corroed

Fail 6 Sep 2019 149,737 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Central Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated swivel (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated swivel (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated swivel (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated swivel (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front track rod dust cover deteriorated

exhaust heat shield corroded

Pass 7 Sep 2018 143,806 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front wheel arch corroded

back sub frame corroded

plastic under tray fitted

Pass 15 Sep 2017 138,375 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

rear pads worn.

under trays fitted.

Fail 8 Sep 2017 138,201 miles

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

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

rear pads worn.

under trays fitted.

Pass 6 Sep 2016 132,418 miles

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

brake pipe across rear rusting.

front no plate starting to deteriorate

n/s/front tyre warn on outer edge.

n/s/front wing rusting through.

n/s/outer sill rusting at rear.

o/s/outer sill rusting at rear.

rear sub frame rusting

under trays fitted.

Fail 6 Sep 2016 132,418 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

brake pipe across rear rusting.

front no plate starting to deteriorate

n/s/front tyre warn on outer edge.

n/s/front wing rusting through.

n/s/outer sill rusting at rear.

o/s/outer sill rusting at rear.

rear sub frame rusting

under trays fitted.

Pass 4 Sep 2015 126,466 miles

rear sub frame & suspension rusting.

Fail 4 Sep 2015 126,466 miles

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

rear sub frame & suspension rusting.

Pass 12 Sep 2014 120,947 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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)

Fail 12 Sep 2014 120,947 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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)

Pass 16 Sep 2013 115,235 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2013 115,227 miles

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

Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Pass 10 Jul 2012 101,481 miles

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

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)

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

front wings corroded.

n/s/f brake pads wearing low.

Fail 10 Jul 2012 101,481 miles

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

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

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

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

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

front wings corroded.

n/s/f brake pads wearing low.

Pass 21 Apr 2011 83,708 miles
Pass 5 May 2010 70,086 miles

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

Pass 13 Nov 2009 68,200 miles
Fail 11 Nov 2009 68,200 miles

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

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

Pass 14 Nov 2008 64,171 miles
Fail 14 Nov 2008 64,171 miles

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

some binding of offside front brake

Pass 7 Dec 2006 55,333 miles

nearside front tyre tread low on outer edge †

Pass 15 Dec 2005 49,313 miles

23% imbalance of front brakes

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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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

P331 VGN is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black 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 P331 VGN, 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 P331 VGN?

You can check the full history of P331 VGN by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P331 VGN registered?

P331 VGN is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 5 June 1997.

Is P331 VGN safe to buy?

The MOT history for P331 VGN 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 P331 VGN 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 P331 VGN. 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.