CarVerify

Free Car Check

P489 FTT

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Nov 2026
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

150,574 mi
Last recorded150,574 miles
Recorded on15 Nov 2025
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

RegistrationP489 FTT
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 15 Nov 2025 150,574 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2024 150,025 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2023 149,238 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2022 145,881 miles

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Dec 2020 143,932 miles

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

Fail 18 Dec 2020 143,771 miles

Driver's view of the road through the swept area of the windscreen materially affected by an obstruction sunstrip (3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition rear exhaust moterbike silencer (8.1.1 (a))

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 2 Dec 2019 133,582 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge perished 185/60x14 (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

aux belt loose,power steering

Pass 13 Dec 2018 127,926 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn close to wear markers 185/60r14 (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively slight binding (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 13 Dec 2018 127,926 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn close to wear markers 185/60r14 (5.2.3 (e))

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

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively slight binding (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 20 Dec 2017 124,619 miles

Nearside Rear Outer Body has slight corrosion sill into wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Outer Body has slight corrosion sill into rear wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Fail 19 Dec 2017 124,619 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Outer Body has slight corrosion sill into wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Rear Outer Body has slight corrosion sill into rear wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Pass 22 Nov 2016 121,406 miles

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

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

aftermarket steering wheel fitted

nearside and offside rear quarter panels corroded

Fail 22 Nov 2016 121,406 miles

Front Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 185/60/14 (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

aftermarket steering wheel fitted

nearside and offside rear quarter panels corroded

Pass 3 Feb 2015 118,804 miles

Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nail in offside rear tyre

Pass 29 Jan 2014 115,604 miles

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

Fail 29 Jan 2014 115,604 miles

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 28 Jan 2013 110,735 miles
Fail 28 Jan 2013 110,735 miles

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Pass 31 Jan 2012 104,348 miles

Nail in offside front tyre

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside front tyre wearing on inner and outer edges(185/60/R14)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside front tyre wearing on inner edge

Fail 31 Jan 2012 104,348 miles

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

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

Nail in offside front tyre

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside front tyre wearing on inner and outer edges(185/60/R14)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside front tyre wearing on inner edge

Pass 19 Jan 2011 96,861 miles

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

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

n/s/r tyre cut in outter side wall

Pass 29 Jan 2010 86,305 miles

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

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

Fail 29 Jan 2010 86,305 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

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

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

Pass 21 Jan 2009 80,722 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Fail 21 Jan 2009 80,722 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

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

Offside Seat belt damaged sufficient to obstruct correct operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Pass 22 Jan 2008 74,436 miles
Fail 17 Jan 2008 74,422 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Steering system lock to lock check stretches a brake pipe (2.2.D.2b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 19 Jan 2007 71,517 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

P489 FTT is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 P489 FTT, 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 P489 FTT?

You can check the full history of P489 FTT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P489 FTT registered?

P489 FTT is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 March 1997.

Is P489 FTT safe to buy?

The MOT history for P489 FTT shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P489 FTT 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 P489 FTT. 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.