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R38 VPU

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires26 May 2026
Tests17 (16 pass, 1 fail)
Pass rate94.1%

Mileage

40,821 mi
Last recorded40,821 miles
Recorded on27 May 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
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR38 VPU
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

16 pass 1 fail
Pass 27 May 2025 40,821 miles
Pass 20 May 2024 40,725 miles

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

Pass 4 Nov 2022 40,649 miles

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

Fail 4 Nov 2022 40,649 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Jun 2021 40,542 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2019 40,423 miles
Pass 20 May 2016 40,276 miles
Pass 21 Mar 2015 40,089 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2014 39,827 miles
Pass 14 Mar 2013 39,728 miles
Pass 16 Mar 2012 39,658 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2011 39,399 miles
Pass 26 Mar 2010 39,237 miles

o/s rear tyre has small bulge on inner wall

Pass 24 Feb 2009 38,764 miles

o/s rear tyre small bulge on inner wall

Pass 11 Feb 2008 38,251 miles
Pass 23 Jan 2007 36,167 miles
Pass 25 Jan 2006 33,065 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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R38 VPU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 94.1%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R38 VPU, 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 R38 VPU?

You can check the full history of R38 VPU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R38 VPU registered?

R38 VPU is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 8 August 1997.

Is R38 VPU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R38 VPU shows 17 tests with a 94.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R38 VPU 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 R38 VPU. 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.