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P542 OLP

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Jun 2027
Tests28 (21 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate75%

Mileage

102,940 mi
Last recorded102,940 miles
Recorded on1 Jun 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationP542 OLP
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

21 pass 7 fail
Pass 1 Jun 2026 102,940 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Front and rear suspension arms (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced side sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Fail 21 May 2026 102,847 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Lower Macpherson strut ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Front and rear suspension arms (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced side sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing Corroded (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 3 Jun 2025 97,531 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced front and rear suspension arms, other components (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 24 May 2025 92,495 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Front Registration plate does not conform to the specified requirements (0.1 (d))

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Front Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Rear Fluid leaking continuously posing a serious risk to road safety diff (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

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

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

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened all components (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened all components (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 10 May 2024 87,712 miles

Parking brake lever worn, but not excessively need adjusting (1.1.6 (b) (i))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff axel seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced and suspension arms lower (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 8 May 2024 87,712 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Parking brake lever worn, but not excessively need adjusting (1.1.6 (b) (i))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff axel seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced and suspension arms lower (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 24 Apr 2023 81,999 miles

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

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

Pass 4 May 2022 81,281 miles

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

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

Fail 26 Apr 2022 81,232 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 21 Apr 2021 80,123 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 21 Apr 2021 80,123 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 May 2020 79,124 miles
Pass 24 Apr 2019 77,988 miles
Pass 3 May 2018 76,846 miles
Pass 12 May 2017 75,915 miles
Pass 6 May 2016 75,404 miles
Pass 7 May 2015 73,852 miles

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

Fail 7 May 2015 73,852 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 14 May 2014 71,351 miles
Fail 14 May 2014 71,351 miles

Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

Pass 17 May 2013 69,068 miles
Pass 18 May 2012 66,857 miles

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

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

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

Pass 10 May 2011 66,040 miles

rear sill x2 corrosion on double skinning

Pass 12 May 2010 65,384 miles

rear sill x 2 skin corrosion

Pass 29 May 2009 64,215 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)

Pass 13 May 2008 63,397 miles
Pass 22 May 2007 62,191 miles
Pass 9 May 2006 57,512 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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P542 OLP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 75%.

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 P542 OLP, 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 P542 OLP?

You can check the full history of P542 OLP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P542 OLP registered?

P542 OLP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 28 April 1997.

Is P542 OLP safe to buy?

The MOT history for P542 OLP shows 28 tests with a 75% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P542 OLP 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 P542 OLP. 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.