CarVerify

Free Car Check

R450 SJA

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1840cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Expired
Expires6 Dec 2021
Tests26 (15 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate57.7%

Mileage

110,869 mi
Last recorded110,869 miles
Recorded on5 Dec 2020
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
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR450 SJA
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

15 pass 11 fail
Pass 5 Dec 2020 110,869 miles

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 5 Dec 2020 110,869 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Jun 2019 110,328 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))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 6 Jun 2018 109,676 miles

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

Pass 7 Jun 2017 108,693 miles
Fail 7 Feb 2017 108,605 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 185/60/14h (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner wheel arch (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

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

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

brake pedal rubber wearing thin

clutch pedal rubber worn

corrosion in n/s + o/s/r suspension arms

corrosion started in both rear sill backs

front + rear brake pads wearing low?

interior mirror cracked

n/s/r chassis damaged

o/s mirror loose

o/s wiper streaking slightly

o/s/f roadwheel slightly damaded

o/s/f tyre worn on stepped edges [185/60/14h]

o/s/r anti-roll bar link rod bushes perished but not with excess movement

slight fluctuation on front brakes

wear in rear anti-roll bar mounting bushes

Pass 8 Feb 2016 107,095 miles

clutch slave cylinder damp

corrosion starting under vehicle

front + rear brake pads wearing slightly low

o/s/f tyre worn on stepped edges [185/60/14h]

slight bind on o/s/f wheel

slight fluctuation on front brakes

Fail 2 Feb 2016 107,082 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (3.3.A.1b)

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded sill back + lower wheel arch (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

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

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

clutch pedal rubber missing

clutch slave cylinder damp

corrosion starting under vehicle

front + rear brake pads wearing slightly low

o/s/f tyre worn on stepped edges [185/60/14h]

slight bind on o/s/f wheel

slight fluctuation on front brakes

Pass 4 Oct 2014 104,778 miles

both front coil springs corroded.

brake pedal and clutch pedal rubbers worn.

possible slight play in osf wheel bearing.

rear brake pipes starting to corrode in areas.

rear coil springs corroded.

surface rust under the whole of the vehicle.

Fail 30 Sep 2014 104,743 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

both front coil springs corroded.

brake pedal and clutch pedal rubbers worn.

possible slight play in osf wheel bearing.

rear brake pipes starting to corrode in areas.

rear coil springs corroded.

surface rust under the whole of the vehicle.

Pass 22 Aug 2013 102,912 miles

alternator belt damaged

corrosion under vehicle

earth lead at rear of engine broken

water leak

Fail 15 Aug 2013 102,901 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

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

alternator belt damaged

corrosion under vehicle

earth lead at rear of engine broken

water leak

Pass 21 Aug 2012 101,364 miles

corrosion started in o/s/r sill

corrosion starting in both rear wheel arches

interior mirror cracked

n/s/f tyre worn to 2mm [185/60/14h]

slight bind on n/s/f wheel

surface corrosion in various places under vehicle

Pass 15 Sep 2011 99,264 miles

centre brake light inop

corrosion starting in o/s/r sill + n/s/r lower wheel arch

interior mirror cracked

n/s/r tyre worn to 2mm [185/60/14h]

o/s/f wheel rim slightly damaged

surface corrosion on suspension arms

Fail 9 Sep 2011 99,241 miles

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

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

Rear Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

centre brake light inop

corrosion starting in o/s/r sill + n/s/r lower wheel arch

interior mirror cracked

n/s/r tyre worn to 2mm [185/60/14h]

o/s/f wheel rim slightly damaged

surface corrosion on suspension arms

Pass 2 Sep 2010 96,469 miles

brake light in boot inop?

brake pipe across rear axle corroding but unable to check properly due to position

noise from n/s/f wheel when braking

o/s/r tyre slightly scored on inner sidewall [185/60/14h]

rear number plate lamps secured with tape

surface corrosion in places under vehicle

Pass 11 Dec 2009 94,586 miles

brake pipe across rear axle corroding

o/s mirror secured with tape

slight play in steering rack

surface corrosion on underside of vehicle

Fail 9 Dec 2009 94,574 miles

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

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) not in good working order (function impaired) (1.1.4a)

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

brake pipe across rear axle corroding

o/s mirror secured with tape

slight play in steering rack

surface corrosion on underside of vehicle

Pass 12 Dec 2008 92,190 miles

corrosion starting in o/s sill

front brake linings low

slight judder on o/s/f brake

Fail 10 Dec 2008 92,187 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Rear Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1) DANGEROUS

corrosion starting in o/s sill

front brake linings low

slight blow on exhaust centre box

slight judder on o/s/f brake

Pass 5 Dec 2007 88,778 miles

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

front brake pads low

o/s/f brake pipe corroding

o/s/f tyre worn to 2mm tread depth 185/60/14h

Fail 1 Dec 2007 88,747 miles

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

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

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

front brake pads low

o/s/f brake pipe corroding

o/s/f tyre worn to 2mm tread depth 185/60/14h

Pass 13 Dec 2006 85,350 miles
Fail 12 Dec 2006 85,344 miles

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

Offside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

corrosion starting in o/s/r sill

n/s/f tyre on legal limit 185/60/14h

possible fluid leak around steering rack area?

unable to check front underside properly due to cover

Pass 6 Dec 2005 80,617 miles
Fail 2 Dec 2005 80,567 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

dampness around steering rack but no obvious leak

earth strap to engine broken

rear brake discs corroded

unable to check underside properly due to covers

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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R450 SJA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.7%.

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 R450 SJA, 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 R450 SJA?

You can check the full history of R450 SJA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R450 SJA registered?

R450 SJA is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 27 August 1997.

Is R450 SJA safe to buy?

The MOT history for R450 SJA shows 26 tests with a 57.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R450 SJA 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 R450 SJA. 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.