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R26 VPU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Aug 2027
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

151,382 mi
Last recorded151,382 miles
Recorded on8 Aug 2026
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

RegistrationR26 VPU
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

19 pass 12 fail
Pass 8 Aug 2026 151,382 miles

Central Rear Rear fog lamp lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.5.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 8 Aug 2025 139,920 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2024 139,833 miles
Fail 26 Jul 2024 139,833 miles

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

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 9 Aug 2023 139,535 miles
Fail 9 Aug 2023 139,535 miles

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 4 May 2022 139,159 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2021 138,721 miles
Pass 4 May 2019 137,175 miles
Pass 1 Sep 2017 132,393 miles

EXHAUST IS CORRODED

Front FLOORS ARE RUSTING

O/S FRONT WING IS RUSTED

OIL LEAKS

REAR SUSPENSION ARMS ARE RUSTED

VARIOUS BRAKE PIPES ARE RUSTED

Fail 30 Aug 2017 132,389 miles

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded REAR INNER ARCH (5.2.6)

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

EXHAUST IS CORRODED

Front FLOORS ARE RUSTING

O/S FRONT WING IS RUSTED

OIL LEAKS

REAR SUSPENSION ARMS ARE RUSTED

VARIOUS BRAKE PIPES ARE RUSTED

Pass 6 Sep 2016 127,721 miles

O/S FRONT BRAKE IS SLOWER TO OPERATE

OIL LEAK

VARIOUS BRAKE PIPES ARE RUSTED

Fail 5 Sep 2016 127,721 miles

Nearside Front Steering system has a tyre fouling a part of the vehicle BRAKE HOSE (2.2.D.2a)

Offside Front Steering system has a road wheel fouling a part of the vehicle BRAKE HOSE (2.2.D.2a)

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

O/S FRONT BRAKE IS SLOWER TO OPERATE

OIL LEAK

VARIOUS BRAKE PIPES ARE RUSTED

Pass 2 Sep 2015 123,091 miles

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

Fail 2 Sep 2015 123,091 miles

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

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

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

Pass 4 Sep 2014 118,617 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2014 118,611 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Aug 2013 113,241 miles

front wings damaged

osr inner arch corroded

rear arches corroded

rear of outer sills corroded/repaired/poor

Fail 22 Aug 2013 113,241 miles

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

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

exhaust rattles

front wings damaged

osr inner arch corroded

rear arches corroded

rear brake application uneven

rear of outer sills corroded/repaired/poor

Pass 23 Aug 2012 107,047 miles

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

corrosion starting sills

Fail 21 Aug 2012 107,047 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

corrosion starting sills

Pass 24 Aug 2011 102,518 miles

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

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

front tyre wear is uneven

panel damage

pink paint on the n/s front

rear of the n/s sill is rusted

Fail 22 Aug 2011 102,514 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Road wheel distorted (4.2.A.1a)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

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

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

front tyre wear is uneven

panel damage

pink paint on the n/s front

rear of the n/s sill is rusted

Pass 26 Aug 2010 97,759 miles

n/s front wheel rim is damaged

n/s hand brake performance is very low

panel damage

rattle from the exhaust

smell of oil burning

Fail 23 Aug 2010 97,757 miles

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

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

centre and rear silencers both have internal rattle

Pass 21 Aug 2009 93,308 miles

o/s head light lens is damaged

Fail 18 Aug 2009 93,308 miles

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

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

o/s head light lens is damaged

Pass 8 Aug 2008 88,319 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

o/s/f tyre perished

Fail 8 Aug 2008 88,319 miles

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

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

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

o/s/f tyre perished

Pass 16 Aug 2007 82,135 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2006 73,954 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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R26 VPU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

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 R26 VPU, 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 R26 VPU?

You can check the full history of R26 VPU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R26 VPU registered?

R26 VPU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R26 VPU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R26 VPU shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R26 VPU 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 R26 VPU. 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.