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R278 KOJ

1997 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1798cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires21 Feb 2026
Tests25 (17 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate68%

Mileage

75,210 mi
Last recorded75,210 miles
Recorded on22 Feb 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR278 KOJ
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,798cc

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 8 fail
Pass 22 Feb 2025 75,210 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened General corrosion to all suspension components and both subframes (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced All chassis and inner sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 2 Feb 2024 69,197 miles

Nearside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 1 Jul 2023 69,193 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Steering linkage fouling tie rod fouling anti roll bar drop link bolt (2.1.4 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill floor area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis rail (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 3 May 2022 64,680 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

both front tyres worn on outer edges

both rear tyres worn to 1.6mm on inner edges

nail in os rear tyre

Fail 28 Apr 2022 64,609 miles

Front Direction indicator incorrect colour flashing white (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Position lamp not working all side lights not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

both front tyres worn on outer edges

both rear tyres worn to 1.6mm on inner edges

nail in os rear tyre

Pass 8 May 2021 61,724 miles
Fail 5 May 2021 61,722 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 14 Aug 2020 60,141 miles
Pass 20 Aug 2016 58,720 miles

Unable to fully inspect underside of vehicle due to coating applied

Fail 13 Aug 2016 58,574 miles

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (pipe clamp) (2.4.A.3)

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

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

Nearside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Offside front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

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

Unable to fully inspect underside of vehicle due to coating applied

Pass 27 Aug 2015 56,730 miles
Pass 19 Aug 2014 55,570 miles

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

Fail 11 Aug 2014 55,569 miles

Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

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

Pass 21 Aug 2013 53,187 miles

advice on surface corshon at o/s/r and n/s/r inner sills

Pass 23 Aug 2012 51,620 miles

Front No.plate begining to delaminate.

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Steering wheel cover insecure.

Fail 23 Aug 2012 51,620 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front No.plate begining to delaminate.

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

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

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

Steering wheel cover insecure.

Pass 17 Aug 2011 49,751 miles

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

Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Fail 15 Aug 2011 49,751 miles

Offside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

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

Vehicle structure has slight damage (6.1.A.1)

Pass 9 Aug 2010 47,725 miles
Pass 14 Aug 2009 44,827 miles
Fail 13 Aug 2009 44,826 miles

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

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

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

Pass 5 Aug 2008 41,452 miles

Nearside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 10 Aug 2007 37,961 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2006 34,640 miles
Pass 10 Aug 2005 31,336 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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R278 KOJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,798cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68%.

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 R278 KOJ, 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 R278 KOJ?

You can check the full history of R278 KOJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R278 KOJ registered?

R278 KOJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 28 August 1997.

Is R278 KOJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R278 KOJ shows 25 tests with a 68% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R278 KOJ 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 R278 KOJ. 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.