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R393 OBF

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1839cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires4 Mar 2027
Tests29 (20 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate69%

Mileage

65,112 mi
Last recorded65,112 miles
Recorded on5 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

RegistrationR393 OBF
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,839cc
View full Mazda MX-5 reliability data Browse other 1997 Mazda MX-5 registrations

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

20 pass 9 fail
Pass 5 Mar 2026 65,112 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2025 56,714 miles
Pass 15 Jan 2024 55,265 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded both sides (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened both sides (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Dec 2021 55,245 miles

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 2 Dec 2021 55,245 miles

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

Front Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 9 Nov 2021 55,241 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Pass 20 Nov 2020 54,763 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

fuel pipes corroded

Fail 19 Nov 2020 54,763 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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 3 Jun 2019 53,770 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 8 Jun 2018 52,967 miles

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

both rear tyres are perished

underside of vehicle is rusty

Fail 4 Jun 2018 52,967 miles

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

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

both rear tyres are perished

underside of vehicle is rusty

Pass 2 Jun 2017 52,392 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2016 51,640 miles

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 14 Oct 2016 51,629 miles

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 19 Nov 2015 49,685 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 19 Nov 2015 49,685 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 20 Nov 2014 47,937 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 22 Nov 2013 46,173 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 22 Nov 2012 44,506 miles

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

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

Pass 24 Nov 2011 43,996 miles

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 24 Nov 2011 43,996 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 29 Nov 2010 59,867 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Pass 29 Nov 2010 59,867 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

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

Pass 30 Nov 2009 40,433 miles

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

Pass 17 Nov 2008 37,207 miles
Pass 31 Oct 2007 32,315 miles
Pass 1 Nov 2006 27,353 miles
Pass 4 Nov 2005 22,874 miles
Fail 3 Nov 2005 22,874 miles

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

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

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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R393 OBF is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69%.

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 R393 OBF, 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 R393 OBF?

You can check the full history of R393 OBF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R393 OBF registered?

R393 OBF is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R393 OBF safe to buy?

The MOT history for R393 OBF shows 29 tests with a 69% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R393 OBF 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 R393 OBF. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

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