CarVerify

Free Car Check

P385 OVU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires3 Apr 2015
Tests18 (9 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate50%

Mileage

122,428 mi
Last recorded122,428 miles
Recorded on5 May 2015
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP385 OVU
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

9 pass 9 fail
Fail 5 May 2015 122,428 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 noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition (7.1.4)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside front brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Nearside Front Upper Front suspension locking device missing (2.5.A.4) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting bolt missing (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Coil spring not correctly located (2.4.C.2) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting insecure (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located (2.4.C.2) DANGEROUS

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6) DANGEROUS

Offside Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a) DANGEROUS

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

both front wings badly corroded and detached at sills

reflectors in front bumper taped over

Pass 28 Mar 2014 111,442 miles

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

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

rear areas of outer sills have been repaired Suspect filler ???

Fail 28 Mar 2014 111,442 miles

Nearside rear brake excessively fluctuating (3.7.B.3)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

rear areas of outer sills have been repaired Suspect filler ???

Pass 4 Apr 2013 105,425 miles

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

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 Feb 2012 102,688 miles

near side parking brake effort low

several suspension components rusting

severalareas of underbody / chassis / rear of sill panel areas rusting or previously repaired

Fail 22 Feb 2012 102,661 miles

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

near side parking brake effort low

several areas of underbody / chassis rusting or previously repaired

several suspension components rusting

Pass 18 Mar 2011 99,214 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Mar 2011 99,214 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Mar 2010 95,007 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

front and rear subframes and suspension arms corroded

front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Fail 22 Mar 2010 95,000 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel bead rim badly distorted (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

front and rear subframes and suspension arms corroded

front brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.2b)

rear brake juddering slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Pass 20 Mar 2009 90,266 miles
Fail 18 Mar 2009 90,263 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Fail 11 Mar 2009 90,262 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

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

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

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Pass 10 Mar 2008 88,726 miles
Fail 7 Mar 2008 88,723 miles

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Pass 12 Mar 2007 83,916 miles
Fail 9 Mar 2007 83,916 miles

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Offside Front coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

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

Pass 9 Mar 2006 78,918 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

P385 OVU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 18 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 50%.

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 P385 OVU, 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 P385 OVU?

You can check the full history of P385 OVU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P385 OVU registered?

P385 OVU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 23 May 1997.

Is P385 OVU safe to buy?

The MOT history for P385 OVU shows 18 tests with a 50% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P385 OVU 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 P385 OVU. 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.