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R350 FTY

1997 Mazda MX-5

Red Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Mar 2026
Tests25 (14 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate56%

Mileage

90,507 mi
Last recorded90,507 miles
Recorded on6 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR350 FTY
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourRed
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

14 pass 11 fail
Fail 6 Mar 2026 90,507 miles

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

Indicator switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Steering linkage ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Rear Body component damaged and likely to cause injury wheel arch (6.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded to the extent that control of the vehicle is likely to be adversely affected (5.3.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting missing (5.3.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 10 Mar 2025 87,760 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2024 87,050 miles
Pass 16 May 2023 86,985 miles
Fail 12 May 2023 86,913 miles

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Pass 12 May 2022 83,133 miles
Fail 18 Apr 2022 83,124 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2021 82,594 miles

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

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

Fail 25 Mar 2021 82,586 miles

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

Front Headlamp aim too low both sides (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced central (marked in yellow) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively damaged cut (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill corroded (marked in yellow) (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill corroded (marked in yellow) (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases back box seam corroded (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

coolant low

Pass 19 Apr 2019 80,493 miles

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

Fail 5 Apr 2019 80,483 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 31 Mar 2018 77,616 miles
Fail 20 Mar 2018 77,577 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)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

Pass 29 Mar 2017 74,832 miles

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

both rear tyres cracked and perished

oil leak

slave cylinder leaking

Fail 23 Mar 2017 74,830 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

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)

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

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

Offside Brake pipe leaking front to rear (3.6.A.1)

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

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

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

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

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

both rear tyres cracked and perished

oil leak

slave cylinder leaking

slight bind at o/s/r

Pass 23 Mar 2016 72,430 miles
Fail 21 Mar 2016 72,428 miles

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

Pass 24 May 2012 68,597 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2012 68,563 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)

Pass 1 Apr 2011 66,006 miles
Fail 14 Mar 2011 65,999 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)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Pass 14 May 2009 64,761 miles

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Fail 30 Apr 2009 49,701 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)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

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

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

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

Fuel pipe/s corroded

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

Pass 10 Aug 2007 61,735 miles

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

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

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

Pass 10 Aug 2006 60,079 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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R350 FTY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Red with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56%.

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 R350 FTY, 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 R350 FTY?

You can check the full history of R350 FTY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R350 FTY registered?

R350 FTY is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R350 FTY safe to buy?

The MOT history for R350 FTY shows 25 tests with a 56% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R350 FTY 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 R350 FTY. 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.