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P512 FWL

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 Sep 2025
Tests17 (11 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate64.7%

Mileage

156,588 mi
Last recorded156,588 miles
Recorded on22 Aug 2025
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

RegistrationP512 FWL
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

11 pass 6 fail
Fail 22 Aug 2025 156,588 miles

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

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

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Sep 2024 154,166 miles

Nearside Rear Steering component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill to inner wheel arch (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Offside Rear Steering component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner sill to inner wheel arch (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across subframe (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 5 May 2023 153,941 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across subframe (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 3 May 2023 153,940 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coolant leak ()

Nearside Rear 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 sill to inner wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material across subframe (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 15 Jun 2021 153,645 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material from t piece union (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 24 May 2019 152,774 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material from hose (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 22 May 2018 152,321 miles

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

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

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

Pass 6 Apr 2017 152,114 miles
Fail 31 Mar 2017 152,111 miles

Brake pipe excessively corroded full length (3.6.B.2c)

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

Front Front position lamp(s) not working x2 (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Rear Front position lamp(s) not working x2 (1.1.A.3b)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working x2 (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 13 Sep 2010 150,989 miles

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

Pass 16 Sep 2009 141,015 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Fail 10 Sep 2009 141,011 miles

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

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

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

Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 18 Sep 2008 134,270 miles

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

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

os chassis damaged on floor pan

osr caliper slightly siezed

rear discs rusty

rear of sills outer skins rusty

Fail 18 Sep 2008 134,270 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Steering column top mounting bracket insecure (2.1.2d)

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

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

os chassis damaged on floor pan

osr caliper slightly siezed

rear discs rusty

rear of sills outer skins rusty

Pass 24 Jul 2007 123,925 miles
Fail 24 Jul 2007 123,925 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

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

Pass 7 Jun 2006 106,769 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order but not adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

advise split on o/s/f wiper

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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P512 FWL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.7%.

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 P512 FWL, 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 P512 FWL?

You can check the full history of P512 FWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P512 FWL registered?

P512 FWL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 24 April 1997.

Is P512 FWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P512 FWL shows 17 tests with a 64.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P512 FWL 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 P512 FWL. 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.