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P488 HVO

1997 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Apr 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

139,192 mi
Last recorded139,192 miles
Recorded on18 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationP488 HVO
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 18 Apr 2026 139,192 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2026 139,192 miles

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 19 Mar 2025 130,480 miles

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

under vehicle sprayed in underbody seals

Fail 15 Mar 2025 130,436 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

under vehicle sprayed in underbody seals

Pass 6 Apr 2024 127,876 miles
Pass 12 Apr 2023 127,089 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 4 Apr 2023 127,088 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Apr 2022 124,249 miles

Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair 56% (1.2.1 (c))

Pass 9 Apr 2021 120,461 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all brake pipes have coating unable to fully inspect (1.1.11 (c))

Front Coil spring corroded both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both front (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 21 Mar 2020 120,207 miles

Nearside Front Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

Nearside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp incorrect colour (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Apr 2019 119,688 miles

Minor exhaust blow from rear section

O/s front floor pan weak and corroded

Pass 13 Apr 2018 118,610 miles
Pass 4 Apr 2017 116,275 miles

All four tyres close to legal limit

Rear side markers illuminated in red.

Fail 4 Apr 2017 116,275 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

All four tyres close to legal limit

Rear side markers illuminated in red.

Pass 8 Apr 2016 111,774 miles
Pass 10 Apr 2015 106,911 miles

Coolant leak

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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)

Fail 25 Mar 2015 106,911 miles

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Coolant leak

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

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

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)

Pass 2 Jan 2014 103,191 miles

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

Oil leak

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

handbrake needs adjusting

suspension has been lowered

Pass 27 Dec 2012 97,034 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Fail 13 Dec 2011 87,369 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 13 Dec 2011 87,369 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2010 76,822 miles

both front tyres wearing on inner edges

both headlamp aims on lower limit

both rear closing pannels slightly corroded

both rear tyres wearing on inner edges

centre exhaust joint has a slight blow

offside number plate light dim

oil leak

Pass 29 Dec 2009 72,801 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside front side light shows a hint of blue

Nearside headlight shows a hint of blue

Offside front side light shows a hint of blue

Offside headlight shows a hint of blue

Pass 22 Dec 2008 65,650 miles
Fail 22 Dec 2008 65,650 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 5 Dec 2007 57,299 miles
Pass 19 Jan 2007 50,662 miles

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Fail 18 Jan 2007 50,652 miles

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

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

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Pass 1 Dec 2005 42,757 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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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.

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P488 HVO is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 P488 HVO, 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 P488 HVO?

You can check the full history of P488 HVO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P488 HVO registered?

P488 HVO is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 2 July 1997.

Is P488 HVO safe to buy?

The MOT history for P488 HVO shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P488 HVO 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 P488 HVO. 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.