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R408 UKV

1997 Mazda MX-5

White Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires23 Apr 2026
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

146,829 mi
Last recorded146,829 miles
Recorded on24 Apr 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR408 UKV
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,840cc

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 9 fail
Pass 24 Apr 2025 146,829 miles

Both rear tyres worn on edges

General underbody corrosion

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

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

Offside front chassis corroded

Offside/nearside outer sills corroded

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

Fail 11 Apr 2025 146,824 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis rusted through (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Both rear tyres worn on edges

General underbody corrosion

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

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

Offside front chassis corroded

Offside/nearside outer sills corroded

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

Pass 10 Apr 2024 139,167 miles

General underbody corrosion

Fail 10 Apr 2024 139,167 miles

General underbody corrosion

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 20 Jan 2023 128,927 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated both sides rubbers perishing (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt both sides rubbers perishing (2.1.3 (g) (i))

general surface rust to all front and rear suspension components

Pass 11 Jun 2020 125,854 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

general underbody corrosion

offside and nearside rear wheel arches corroded

Fail 9 Jun 2020 125,854 miles

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

Rear Exhaust silencer insecure (8.1.1 (b) (i))

general underbody corrosion

Nearside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Offside Front Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

offside and nearside rear wheel arches corroded

Pass 21 May 2019 118,631 miles

Both front tyres worn on edge

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Front/rear wheelarches corroded

General underbody corrosion

Rear brake discs corroded

Fail 15 May 2019 118,486 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Both front tyres worn on edge

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Front/rear wheelarches corroded

General underbody corrosion

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

Rear brake discs corroded

Pass 1 Jun 2018 113,509 miles

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

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

Rear brake discs corroded

both rear wheelarches corroded

Fail 29 May 2018 113,508 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill rusted through (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

Rear brake discs corroded

both rear wheelarches corroded

Pass 25 May 2017 109,072 miles

Offside rear wheelarch corroding

Pass 8 Jun 2016 103,353 miles
Pass 23 Jun 2015 97,255 miles
Pass 19 Jun 2014 91,905 miles
Pass 19 Jun 2013 86,967 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

rear brake discs in poor condition

Pass 25 Jun 2012 81,922 miles

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

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Pass 14 Jun 2011 75,097 miles
Pass 9 Jul 2010 61,964 miles
Fail 9 Jul 2010 61,964 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Pass 9 Jul 2009 47,523 miles

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

Fail 9 Jul 2009 47,523 miles

Nearside Front Valve stem seriously damaged (4.1.D.1e)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Pass 11 Jul 2008 35,878 miles
Fail 11 Jul 2008 35,878 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 Oct 2007 34,261 miles
Fail 8 Oct 2007 34,261 miles

Front registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Rear registration plate character(s) incorrectly spaced (6.3.4a)

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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R408 UKV is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in White with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.4%.

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 R408 UKV, 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 R408 UKV?

You can check the full history of R408 UKV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R408 UKV registered?

R408 UKV is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R408 UKV safe to buy?

The MOT history for R408 UKV shows 26 tests with a 65.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R408 UKV 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 R408 UKV. 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.