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P474 DPB

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires11 Mar 2027
Tests30 (17 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate56.7%

Mileage

135,116 mi
Last recorded135,116 miles
Recorded on12 Mar 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
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP474 DPB
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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 13 fail
Pass 12 Mar 2026 135,116 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 11 Mar 2026 135,114 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested (1.2.1 (g))

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Exhaust fumes entering cabin (6.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 27 Jan 2023 135,108 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength floor/sill area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill area (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Jan 2022 133,712 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Fail 24 Jan 2022 133,697 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Pass 20 Jan 2021 132,416 miles

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

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Pass 13 Jan 2020 130,616 miles
Fail 9 Jan 2020 130,616 miles

Brake pipe excessively damaged front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 15 Jan 2019 127,407 miles
Fail 14 Jan 2019 127,406 miles

Nearside Rear Brake cable guide defective and affecting operation not letting park brake release fully (1.1.15 (d))

Pass 10 Jan 2018 124,672 miles
Pass 17 Jan 2017 121,844 miles
Pass 15 Jan 2016 118,723 miles
Pass 12 Jan 2015 115,776 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

both inner sills corroded at rear

Fail 9 Jan 2015 115,748 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

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

both inner sills corroded at rear

Pass 16 Jan 2014 112,814 miles

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

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

Fail 15 Jan 2014 112,811 miles

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

Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

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

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

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

Pass 24 Apr 2012 107,613 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2011 107,080 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2011 107,080 miles

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

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

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

Pass 10 Jun 2010 106,237 miles
Fail 10 Jun 2010 106,237 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Fail 14 May 2009 101,002 miles

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 14 May 2009 101,002 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 12 May 2008 90,848 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 12 May 2008 90,848 miles

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 4 Apr 2008 90,337 miles

Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 15 May 2007 89,442 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 15 May 2007 89,442 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Rear Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 17 Feb 2006 87,989 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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

P474 DPB is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.7%.

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 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 P474 DPB, 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 P474 DPB?

You can check the full history of P474 DPB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P474 DPB registered?

P474 DPB is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P474 DPB safe to buy?

The MOT history for P474 DPB shows 30 tests with a 56.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P474 DPB 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 P474 DPB. 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.