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R37 VBU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Feb 2027
Tests27 (17 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate63%

Mileage

100,844 mi
Last recorded100,844 miles
Recorded on4 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR37 VBU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
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 10 fail
Pass 4 Feb 2026 100,844 miles

Central Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

all suspension component has surface corrosion

Fail 27 Jan 2026 100,836 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 manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp likely to become detached (4.7.1 (c) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Rear Rear fog lamp likely to become detached (4.5.1 (c) (ii))

Central Front Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner sill slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive rear diff (8.4.1 (a) (i))

all suspension component has surface corrosion

Fail 8 Sep 2022 100,801 miles

Brake fluid contaminated (1.8 (a))

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

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid washer bottle empty (3.5 (a))

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp likely to become detached hanging down on its wires covering partial number plate (4.7.1 (c) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Brake master cylinder leaking leaking at the seal (1.1.10 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing slight corrosion (5.3.2 (b))

Central Front Inner Obligatory mirror slightly loose interior mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded corroded on the bottom (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower an upper bushes cracked an perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower an upper bushes cracked an perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing slight corrosion (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower an upper bushes cracked an perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower an upper bushes cracked an perished (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Oil leak, but not excessive diff leaking oil (8.4.1 (a) (i))

all four lower arms all four upper arms and both track rod ends (both sides) have got surface corrosion

Pass 8 Sep 2021 98,922 miles

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

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

underneath car as corrosion on all suspension units

Fail 2 Sep 2021 98,922 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Exhaust fumes causing a danger to health of persons on board (6.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

underneath car as corrosion on all suspension units

Pass 4 Sep 2020 98,590 miles

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

corrosion under the whole of the vehicle

Pass 23 Aug 2019 98,427 miles

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

corrosion under vehicle

Fail 23 Aug 2019 98,427 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

corrosion under vehicle

Pass 11 Sep 2018 98,155 miles
Fail 6 Apr 2018 97,860 miles

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both front (8.2.2)

Nearside Front tyre perishing

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

Pass 3 Mar 2017 97,310 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2016 96,519 miles

nsr tyre worn on inner edge

Fail 1 Mar 2016 96,519 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

nsr tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 16 Mar 2015 95,657 miles

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

diff oil leak

exhaust centre pipe

Fail 5 Mar 2015 95,644 miles

Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

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

diff oil leak

Pass 3 Mar 2014 94,853 miles
Pass 26 Feb 2013 94,254 miles
Pass 28 Feb 2012 93,485 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2011 92,464 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

n/s front headlamp reflector corroded

rear discs very corroded

Pass 25 Mar 2010 91,739 miles
Pass 20 Mar 2009 90,672 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 18 Mar 2009 90,672 miles

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)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 5 Mar 2008 89,640 miles

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

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

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

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

rear diff. leaking oil

Pass 9 Mar 2007 86,795 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2006 65,002 miles
Fail 6 Sep 2006 65,002 miles

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

BOTH REAR QUARTER PANELS CORRODED ON UNDERSIDE,BUT NOT STRUCTURAL AND NOT DANGEROUS AT THIS TIME.

INTERMITTENT FAULT ON OFFSIDE HEADLAMP BUT WORKING CORRECTLY AT TIME OF TEST.

OIL LEAK FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL.

Fail 31 Aug 2006 84,909 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

diff oil leak

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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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.

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R37 VBU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63%.

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 R37 VBU, 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 R37 VBU?

You can check the full history of R37 VBU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R37 VBU registered?

R37 VBU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 29 August 1997.

Is R37 VBU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R37 VBU shows 27 tests with a 63% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R37 VBU 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 R37 VBU. 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.