CarVerify

Free Car Check

R459 TKM

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1839cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires15 Dec 2026
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

112,515 mi
Last recorded112,515 miles
Recorded on16 Dec 2025
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

RegistrationR459 TKM
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourGreen
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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 16 Dec 2025 112,515 miles

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

Pass 16 Dec 2024 109,630 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Coil spring corroded Both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

General underbody corrosion

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Coil spring corroded Both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Fail 26 Nov 2024 109,622 miles

Brake performance unable to be tested Due to o/s/f brake hose burst (1.2.1 (g))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Front Coil spring corroded Both front (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Rear Coil spring corroded Both rear (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Pass 15 Nov 2023 106,183 miles
Pass 8 Nov 2022 104,096 miles
Fail 4 Nov 2022 104,048 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Pass 16 Nov 2021 103,387 miles

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

Nearside Rear handbrake low effort

Pass 20 Nov 2020 99,700 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 28 May 2019 99,686 miles

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

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

Fail 22 May 2019 99,686 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (1.6 (a))

Driver's airbag missing (7.1.5 (a))

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (4.5.4 (a))

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

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Pass 18 May 2018 97,662 miles

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

Fail 15 May 2018 97,592 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate (3.4.1b)

Driver's airbag missing (5.4.1)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Horn control missing (1.6.1)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Pass 20 May 2017 94,661 miles

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

Nearside Rear parking brake applies little effort

Pass 17 May 2016 90,786 miles

Nearside Rear brake hose twisted

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 17 May 2016 90,786 miles

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

Headlamp aim too low both sides (1.8)

Nearside Rear brake hose twisted

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 1 Aug 2014 90,569 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Fuel cap/sealing device missing (7.2.4a)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 26 Jun 2013 82,456 miles
Pass 16 Aug 2012 81,489 miles

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

Pass 11 Aug 2011 79,545 miles
Pass 13 Aug 2010 77,314 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2010 77,314 miles

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

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

Headlamp masks/converters fitted

Pass 4 Aug 2009 74,405 miles

both rear outer sills holed and corroded but not in prescribed area

front brake pads low

nsr alloy slightly buckled

nsr tyre on 1.6mm

osr tyre on 2mm

slight corrosion on rear brake discs

Fail 4 Aug 2009 74,405 miles

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

both rear outer sills holed and corroded but not in prescribed area

front brake pads low

nsr alloy slightly buckled

nsr tyre on 1.6mm

osr tyre on 2mm

slight corrosion on rear brake discs

Pass 13 Aug 2008 70,382 miles

Air bag light on

Both front wiper blades split

Both outer sills corroded

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

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

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 15 Aug 2007 65,390 miles
Pass 3 Aug 2006 61,873 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

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

R459 TKM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,839cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

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 R459 TKM, 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 R459 TKM?

You can check the full history of R459 TKM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R459 TKM registered?

R459 TKM is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 6 November 1997.

Is R459 TKM safe to buy?

The MOT history for R459 TKM shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R459 TKM 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 R459 TKM. 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.