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P552 FWL

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Dec 2026
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

135,590 mi
Last recorded135,590 miles
Recorded on16 Dec 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

RegistrationP552 FWL
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 9 fail
Pass 16 Dec 2025 135,590 miles
Pass 11 Nov 2024 133,591 miles

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing worn and perishing outer edge (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine compartment rear crankshaft seal (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Apr 2022 131,664 miles

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened across front axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened across rear axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Direction indicator slightly discoloured both side front (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is repaired but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (d) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill within 30 cm of front seat belt (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened across rear axle (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Dec 2020 125,999 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Fail 20 Nov 2020 125,910 miles

Driver's airbag missing (7.1.5 (a))

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

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))

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 May 2019 123,394 miles
Fail 20 May 2019 123,394 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 25 Apr 2019 123,339 miles

Emissions not tested excessive smoke (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

unable to penetrate various corrosion to both inner sills front center and rear floors front and rear inner wheel arches various front and rear suspension components

Pass 24 Apr 2018 122,704 miles
Pass 2 May 2017 121,934 miles
Pass 19 Apr 2016 120,910 miles

Offside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Fail 14 Apr 2016 120,822 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Offside Front Seat belt cut but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

Pass 27 Apr 2015 120,420 miles
Pass 29 Apr 2014 119,582 miles

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

Offside Seat belt damaged but not affecting the operation of the belt (5.2.2a)

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

both rear inner sills corroded

coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 30 Apr 2013 118,146 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Apr 2012 115,699 miles
Fail 30 Mar 2012 115,680 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 11 Aug 2010 114,171 miles

Nearside Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

n/s mirror missing

Fail 6 Aug 2010 114,164 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Headlamp incorrect colour (1.7.5b)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

n/s mirror missing

Pass 19 Aug 2009 109,348 miles

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

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

Fail 18 Aug 2009 109,348 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 20 Aug 2008 105,395 miles
Fail 20 Aug 2008 105,392 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Aug 2007 102,139 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2007 102,139 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 17 Aug 2006 98,300 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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P552 FWL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 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 P552 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 P552 FWL?

You can check the full history of P552 FWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P552 FWL registered?

P552 FWL is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 20 June 1997.

Is P552 FWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for P552 FWL shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P552 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 P552 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.