CarVerify

Free Car Check

R310 DGY

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1840cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires7 Apr 2027
Tests30 (21 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

162,455 mi
Last recorded162,455 miles
Recorded on31 Mar 2026
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

RegistrationR310 DGY
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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

21 pass 9 fail
Pass 31 Mar 2026 162,455 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2026 162,395 miles

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced front to rear floor (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 1 Apr 2025 159,340 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2024 153,344 miles
Pass 7 Feb 2023 145,616 miles

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

Pass 1 Feb 2022 138,931 miles

Central Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 25 Jan 2022 138,926 miles

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (8.2.1.1 (a))

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))

Offside Front Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp side light flickering (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Inner Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Central Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 27 Jan 2021 130,427 miles

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

Front suspension very rusty

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

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

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

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

Rear suspension very rusty

two gearbox bolts missing

Pass 9 Jan 2020 128,886 miles

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

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

Various ball joint dust covers deteriorated

Various suspension bushes deteriorated

Fail 7 Jan 2020 128,886 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Various ball joint dust covers deteriorated

Various suspension bushes deteriorated

Pass 18 Jan 2019 126,946 miles

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

Offside Front Brake bind

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

Various suspension bushes deteriorated

Fail 18 Jan 2019 126,946 miles

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

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

Offside Front Brake bind

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

Various suspension bushes deteriorated

Pass 20 Nov 2017 125,371 miles

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Fail 20 Nov 2017 125,365 miles

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

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

Offside Front brake caliper has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Pass 9 Sep 2016 124,384 miles

Offside Front brake pipe rusting

Fail 26 Aug 2016 124,330 miles

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

Offside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Offside Front brake pipe rusting

Pass 14 Aug 2015 122,228 miles

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

general under body rust

offside rear wheel arch starting to rust

Pass 21 Aug 2014 120,525 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2013 118,202 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2013 118,200 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Pass 21 Jul 2012 115,303 miles

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

corrosion to rear brake discs

n/s/f brake slight bind

o/s sill body filler present

Pass 25 Nov 2010 113,827 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Nov 2010 113,827 miles

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Pass 30 Nov 2009 111,246 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Jul 2009 106,826 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 6 Jul 2009 106,641 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 8 Jul 2008 92,321 miles

Nearside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

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

Pass 3 Jul 2007 79,363 miles
Pass 11 Jul 2006 67,383 miles

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

Pass 11 Jul 2005 58,095 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

R310 DGY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 70%.

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 R310 DGY, 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 R310 DGY?

You can check the full history of R310 DGY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R310 DGY registered?

R310 DGY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 22 November 1997.

Is R310 DGY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R310 DGY shows 30 tests with a 70% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R310 DGY 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 R310 DGY. 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.