CarVerify

Free Car Check

P455 XCG

1997 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Jul 2027
Tests28 (15 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate53.6%

Mileage

94,052 mi
Last recorded94,052 miles
Recorded on23 Jul 2026
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

RegistrationP455 XCG
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

15 pass 13 fail
Pass 23 Jul 2026 94,052 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect close to excessive (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil close to excessive (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Fail 20 Jul 2026 94,051 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush likely to become detached upper part not attached lower part is (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect close to excessive (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil close to excessive (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Rear Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair both rears (1.2.1 (c))

Rear hand brake just met reequipments

Pass 31 Jul 2025 91,073 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

Fail 30 Jul 2025 91,073 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

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

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

Pass 30 Jul 2024 90,023 miles
Fail 29 Jul 2024 90,023 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 8 Jun 2023 89,032 miles

All brake discs corroded

Underbody/suspension components heavily undersealed

Fail 6 Jun 2023 89,032 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

All brake discs corroded

Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Underbody/suspension components heavily undersealed

Pass 23 May 2022 88,640 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both (5.3.2 (d))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all (5.3.3 (b) (i))

interior mirror missing

Fail 20 May 2022 88,640 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps both (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting repair covered in underseal sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect both (5.3.2 (d))

Rear Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all (5.3.3 (b) (i))

interior mirror missing

Pass 19 Feb 2021 86,638 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 18 Feb 2021 86,637 miles

Offside Rear Position lamp lens seriously defective (4.2.1 (b))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 10 Feb 2020 86,261 miles

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

Fail 6 Feb 2020 86,255 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 195/50-15 (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

steering stiff and heavy

Pass 6 Feb 2019 84,535 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Feb 2019 84,535 miles

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill / marked (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 22 Dec 2017 83,542 miles

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

Fail 13 Dec 2017 83,536 miles

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Pass 20 Aug 2016 80,895 miles

underbody corrosion

Fail 2 Aug 2016 80,874 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

offside rear brake is binding slightly

Pass 31 Mar 2015 72,907 miles

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

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

Fail 31 Mar 2015 72,902 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

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

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

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

Pass 31 Dec 2013 65,181 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 11 Dec 2013 65,181 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (1.3.2a)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 12 Jul 2012 54,660 miles
Fail 12 Jul 2012 54,660 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

Pass 29 Jun 2011 45,856 miles

all breake disks rusty

Pass 25 Oct 2006 45,838 miles

front number plate cracked

o/s/r light lens cracked

small cut in n/s/f tyre outer sidewall (not down to cords)

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

P455 XCG is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 53.6%.

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 P455 XCG, 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 P455 XCG?

You can check the full history of P455 XCG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P455 XCG registered?

P455 XCG is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 19 March 1997.

Is P455 XCG safe to buy?

The MOT history for P455 XCG shows 28 tests with a 53.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P455 XCG 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 P455 XCG. 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.