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R426 VEC

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Dec 2026
Tests20 (20 pass, 0 fail)
Pass rate100%

Mileage

49,927 mi
Last recorded49,927 miles
Recorded on26 Nov 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

RegistrationR426 VEC
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

20 pass
Pass 26 Nov 2025 49,927 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 2 Dec 2024 49,719 miles

cracks to tyres all round on tread

Pass 4 Dec 2023 48,931 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2022 48,753 miles
Pass 29 Nov 2021 48,098 miles

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

Pass 23 Nov 2020 47,787 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2019 46,834 miles
Pass 6 Jun 2018 46,132 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2017 45,018 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2016 43,484 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 3 Jun 2015 42,123 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2014 41,601 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2013 40,528 miles

all tyres cracking

Pass 23 May 2012 39,591 miles
Pass 8 Jun 2011 39,096 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2010 37,612 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2009 34,981 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2008 34,593 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2007 34,304 miles
Pass 16 Jun 2006 33,901 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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R426 VEC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 20 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 100%.

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 R426 VEC, 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 R426 VEC?

You can check the full history of R426 VEC by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R426 VEC registered?

R426 VEC is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is R426 VEC safe to buy?

The MOT history for R426 VEC shows 20 tests with a 100% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R426 VEC 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 R426 VEC. 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.