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R312 WRB

1997 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Mar 2027
Tests20 (14 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate70%

Mileage

92,805 mi
Last recorded92,805 miles
Recorded on18 Mar 2026
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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR312 WRB
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourSilver
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

14 pass 6 fail
Pass 18 Mar 2026 92,805 miles

Both side front brake disc in poor condition

Central Rear Upper Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Front Valve stem slightly damaged both side (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside front side repeater slighty loose/insecure

Nearside front wheel slight bind when turned by hand

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both side (1.1.12 (f) (i))

UNDERBODY SEAL

Fail 18 Jul 2025 92,795 miles

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

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak leak from both central exhuast joints (8.2.1.1 (b))

Central Rear Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Front Valve stem slightly damaged both side (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside front brake disc in poor condition

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both side (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Underbody seal

Fail 10 Jun 2025 92,785 miles

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

Underbody seal

Central Rear Upper Stop lamp(s) non-obligatory stop lamp not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Front Valve stem slightly damaged both side (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside Rear Valve stem slightly damaged (5.2.3 (j))

Nearside front brake disc in poor condition

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule both side (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 17 Jun 2024 90,429 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule front and rear(both side) (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Front and rear brake disc in poor condition (both side)

Front brake pads wearing thin

Offside Rear coil spring corroded

underbody seal

Fail 28 Aug 2020 90,314 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced front to rear sill/floor pan area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

both front wing bottoms heavily corroded

Pass 27 Sep 2019 90,260 miles

Condition both outer sills-corrosion

Pass 19 Oct 2018 89,254 miles

Central Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Leaking joint (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 3 Nov 2017 88,403 miles

Condition both outer sills -corrosion

Condition whole exhaust system-corrosion

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 27 Sep 2016 87,298 miles

Body has slight corrosion both under seals have light corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 27 Sep 2016 87,298 miles

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Body has slight corrosion both under seals have light corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 24 Jul 2013 76,449 miles
Fail 23 Jul 2013 76,448 miles

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

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

Pass 23 Jul 2012 68,391 miles
Pass 15 Jul 2011 64,813 miles

corrosion on suspension parts and brake pipes

Pass 16 Jul 2010 61,352 miles

bind on o/s front wheel when rotated by hand

both front and rear suspension components very rusty

both sills at rear rusty and getting weak

Pass 3 Jul 2009 60,883 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

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

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Macpherson strut corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside rear brake grabbing slightly (3.7.A.5b)

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

engine covers fitted

Fail 27 Jun 2008 60,252 miles

Front registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

chip noted in drivers side headlight lens

Pass 27 Jun 2008 60,252 miles

chip noted in drivers side headlight lens

Pass 29 Jun 2007 59,614 miles

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

front number plate damaged

Pass 13 Jul 2006 58,830 miles

o/s headlamp glass is damaged

front number plate is cracked

vehicle is fitted with full under tray

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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R312 WRB is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 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 R312 WRB, 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 R312 WRB?

You can check the full history of R312 WRB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R312 WRB registered?

R312 WRB is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 24 December 1997.

Is R312 WRB safe to buy?

The MOT history for R312 WRB shows 20 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 R312 WRB 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 R312 WRB. 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.