CarVerify

Free Car Check

R290 UDV

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Dec 2026
Tests29 (16 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate55.2%

Mileage

171,012 mi
Last recorded171,012 miles
Recorded on3 Dec 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR290 UDV
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

16 pass 13 fail
Pass 3 Dec 2025 171,012 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front subframe surface corosion

Nearside Front Nearside Front coil spring is a adjustable type has slight vertical play

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

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

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

Rear axle surface corosion

Rear rear subframe surface corosion

Fail 11 Jun 2025 170,978 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level significantly below minimum level (1.1.10 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake fluid warning lamp illuminated (1.1.10 (f))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases affects the emissions (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front coil spring is a adjustable type has slight vertical play

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

Offside Front drivers seat changed to a rally seat stays in fixed position

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened Rear REAR SUB/AXLE SURFACE COROSION (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Jun 2024 161,478 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases FROM FRONT PIPE AFFECTING EMISSIONS (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front DRIVERS SEAT BEEN CHANGED TO A RALLY SEAT. SEAT STAYS IN ONE POSITION

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

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

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

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

Rear REAR SUB/AXLE SURFACE COROSION

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

Fail 24 May 2024 161,379 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Inner Drag link end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned SINGLE FOG LIGHT POSITIONED ONTO NEARSIDE (4.5.4 (a))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases FROM FRONT PIPE AFFECTING EMISSIONS (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front DRIVERS SEAT BEEN CHANGED TO A RALLY SEAT. SEAT STAYS IN ONE POSITION

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

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

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

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

Rear REAR SUB/AXLE SURFACE COROSION

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

Pass 24 May 2023 155,649 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sil (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 11 May 2023 155,645 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sil (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive outer sil (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 21 May 2022 151,788 miles

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive subframe and suspension parts (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive subframe and suspension parts (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Fail 26 Jan 2022 151,600 miles

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 27 Jan 2021 148,598 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner and outer sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner and outer sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Fail 10 Dec 2020 148,439 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner and outer sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner and outer sills (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 11 Jun 2019 143,455 miles

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security outer sill area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Fail 4 Jun 2019 143,448 miles

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

Nearside Rear Integral body structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security outer sill area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Pass 13 Jun 2018 138,716 miles

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 12 Jun 2018 138,696 miles

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

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

Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 16 Jun 2017 135,570 miles
Fail 15 Jun 2017 135,555 miles

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Fail 3 Jun 2017 135,494 miles

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

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

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

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

Brake hose slightly deteriorated All (3.6.B.4d)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear (3.6.B.2c)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 29 Feb 2016 134,120 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 12 May 2012 131,077 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

all rear suspension components corroded

Fail 5 May 2012 130,898 miles

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

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid close to minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

all rear suspension components corroded

Pass 14 May 2011 113,363 miles
Fail 7 May 2011 113,019 miles

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

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

Handbrake travel long

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

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 10 May 2010 95,981 miles

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

Pass 9 May 2009 78,130 miles

Centre brake light inop

OSF tyre worn on inside edge

OSR handbrake efficiency slightly low

Pass 10 May 2008 73,696 miles
Fail 8 May 2008 73,668 miles

Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 9 May 2007 70,712 miles

all tyre pressures low

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 5 May 2006 70,033 miles
Fail 5 May 2006 70,033 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Front registration plate has a feature which changes the appearance or legibility of the characters (6.3.4c)

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R290 UDV is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.2%.

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 R290 UDV, 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 R290 UDV?

You can check the full history of R290 UDV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R290 UDV registered?

R290 UDV is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 18 August 1997.

Is R290 UDV safe to buy?

The MOT history for R290 UDV shows 29 tests with a 55.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R290 UDV 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 R290 UDV. 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.