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R482 FFW

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 May 2027
Tests26 (17 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate65.4%

Mileage

92,498 mi
Last recorded92,498 miles
Recorded on7 May 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

RegistrationR482 FFW
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

17 pass 9 fail
Pass 7 May 2026 92,498 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Fail 6 May 2026 92,498 miles

Offside Rear Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured (5.3.3 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 10 May 2025 89,726 miles

Central Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view Large unrepaired chip (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Rear general corrosion axle 2 suspension components

Pass 19 Dec 2023 86,931 miles

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

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

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 6 Dec 2023 86,928 miles

Nearside Front Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced floor along side sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened all rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 8 Dec 2022 83,441 miles

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

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

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

Fail 2 Dec 2022 83,439 miles

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

Nearside Rear Hydraulic brake calliper leaking (1.1.16 (b) (i))

Offside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Dec 2021 80,447 miles

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

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

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

Fail 30 Nov 2021 80,446 miles

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced sill to floor not seam welded (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced sill to floor not seam welded (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced sill to floor not seam welded (6.1.1 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure inadequately repaired such that structural rigidity is significantly reduced sill to floor not seam welded (6.1.1 (d) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2016 77,737 miles

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

Offside Front floor section starting to corrode

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

all suspension arms starting to corrode

both outer sils starting to corrode

Fail 28 Sep 2016 77,737 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front floor section starting to corrode

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

all suspension arms starting to corrode

both outer sils starting to corrode

Pass 29 Sep 2015 73,031 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2014 69,675 miles

suspension arms starting to corrode

Pass 26 Sep 2013 67,297 miles

all suspension arms starting to corrode

Fail 26 Sep 2013 67,297 miles

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

all suspension arms starting to corrode

Pass 26 Sep 2012 64,664 miles

general surface corrosion starting to all suspension arms

Fail 25 Sep 2012 64,655 miles

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

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

general surface corrosion starting to all suspension arms

Pass 29 Sep 2011 61,849 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Fail 27 Sep 2011 61,845 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Pass 22 Sep 2010 58,574 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

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

Pass 25 Sep 2009 54,920 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2008 49,875 miles
Pass 26 Sep 2007 43,725 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2006 43,067 miles
Fail 20 Sep 2006 43,067 miles

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

Pass 30 Sep 2005 42,183 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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R482 FFW is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc 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 R482 FFW, 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 R482 FFW?

You can check the full history of R482 FFW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R482 FFW registered?

R482 FFW is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 20 September 1997.

Is R482 FFW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R482 FFW 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 R482 FFW 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 R482 FFW. 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.