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R305 VNF

1997 Mazda MX-5

Orange Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Oct 2026
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

82,749 mi
Last recorded82,749 miles
Recorded on6 Oct 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

RegistrationR305 VNF
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourOrange
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 6 Oct 2025 82,749 miles

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and arms (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 6 Oct 2025 82,748 miles

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

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

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened and arms (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 18 Oct 2024 81,655 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 9 Oct 2024 81,655 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2023 81,287 miles

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

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

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective Front wipes slightly smearing (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Lower ball joint and track rod end split pin missing, use of locking fluid unknown, benefit of the doubt given

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

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

Rear Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Fail 21 Sep 2023 81,272 miles

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

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

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

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective Front wipes slightly smearing (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Lower ball joint and track rod end split pin missing, use of locking fluid unknown, benefit of the doubt given

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

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

Rear Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 22 Sep 2022 78,886 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Nearside & offside, upper lower ball joint dust covers deteriorated

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

Nearside Front Lower ball joint & track rod end split pins missing, use of locking fluid unknown benefit of the doubt given

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

Rear Various bushes deteriorated

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively All brakes (1.2.1 (e))

Vehicle generally corroded

Fail 16 Aug 2022 78,874 miles

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

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Tyre obviously under inflated Nearside & Offside (5.2.3 (l))

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint split pin missing, use of locking fluid is unknown benefit of the doubt given

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

Nearside Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Brake slightly binding (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover deteriorated

Nearside Track rod end ball joint split pin missing, use of locking fluid is unknown benefit of the doubt given

Offside Front Direction indicator slightly discoloured (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

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

Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively Nearside & Offside (1.2.1 (e))

Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Various bushes deteriorated / signs of bushes being twisted (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Vehicle generally corroded

Pass 18 Jun 2021 73,637 miles
Fail 17 Jun 2021 73,637 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Pass 23 Jun 2020 70,044 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2019 66,373 miles

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2018 65,688 miles

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

Oil leak ()

Pass 29 Mar 2017 61,720 miles

Oil leak ()

Pass 20 Dec 2014 61,274 miles

body kit fitted

offside front shock slightly damp

Fail 14 Dec 2014 61,115 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

offside front shock slightly damp

sill covers fitted offside sill looks corroded

Fail 27 May 2014 54,235 miles

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Pass 27 May 2014 54,235 miles

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

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

Pass 12 Sep 2011 51,685 miles

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

Fail 6 Sep 2011 51,681 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (7.2.4a)

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

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

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

Pass 30 Jun 2010 50,795 miles

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

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

Rear brake discs pitted

Pass 27 Apr 2009 48,818 miles
Fail 24 Apr 2009 48,818 miles

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

Inner Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Mar 2008 40,787 miles

excess travel in parking brake lever

slight condensation in offside and nearside headlamps

slight condensation in offside rear light unit

Pass 30 May 2007 39,640 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2006 37,063 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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R305 VNF is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Orange 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 R305 VNF, 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 R305 VNF?

You can check the full history of R305 VNF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R305 VNF registered?

R305 VNF is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 26 August 1997.

Is R305 VNF safe to buy?

The MOT history for R305 VNF 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 R305 VNF 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 R305 VNF. 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.