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R485 MSP

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires18 Dec 2025
Tests34 (19 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate55.9%

Mileage

130,446 mi
Last recorded130,446 miles
Recorded on17 Dec 2025
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR485 MSP
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

19 pass 15 fail
Fail 17 Dec 2025 130,446 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Pass 19 Dec 2024 127,057 miles
Pass 19 Oct 2023 125,270 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 10 Oct 2023 125,259 miles

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 28 Sep 2022 121,268 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Fail 22 Sep 2022 121,262 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases catalytic converter front join catalytic converter itself is deteriorating and leaking (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn D bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Steering wheel has movement relative to the column indicating looseness (2.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 15 Oct 2021 115,052 miles

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

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

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

Fail 9 Oct 2021 115,052 miles

Emissions not tested Due to exhaust leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Cat back (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Pass 14 Oct 2020 111,215 miles

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened surface corrosion on both sub-frames and all suspension components front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 14 Oct 2020 111,215 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened surface corrosion on both sub-frames and all suspension components front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 28 Mar 2019 104,231 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Power steering pipe/hose has slight seepage (2.1.5 (a))

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

Nearside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Pass 27 Mar 2018 103,252 miles

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded to nearside (3.6.B.2c)

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

Oil leak ()

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

wet at time of test

Fail 27 Mar 2018 103,252 miles

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded to nearside (3.6.B.2c)

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

Oil leak ()

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

wet at time of test

Pass 10 Apr 2017 101,557 miles

Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear Inner Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

under sealed preventing full assessment of some under side components

Pass 13 Apr 2016 99,774 miles

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Nearside Rear Inner Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

Fail 13 Apr 2016 99,774 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage (2.3.3b)

Nearside Rear Inner Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

Nearside Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules all (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 21 Apr 2015 97,688 miles

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

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

both front & rear brake discs worn

Pass 7 Mar 2014 94,515 miles

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Pass 1 May 2013 91,691 miles

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

Nearside Outer Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

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

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Outer Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

Pass 12 Jul 2012 90,775 miles

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

Nearside Outer Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Outer Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

all brake discs and front pads slightly worn

boot floor not inspected due to fixed item

Fail 11 Jul 2012 90,775 miles

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

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

Nearside Outer Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Offside Outer Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components

all brake discs and front pads slightly worn

boot floor not inspected due to fixed item

Pass 16 Jul 2011 87,865 miles

195/50/15 nearside front tyre wearing on both edges

front brake discs starting to pitt

mist of power steering fluid on steering rack (recommend further investigation)

nail in nearside rear tyre

offside wing mirror loose

oil leaks

Fail 12 Jul 2011 87,862 miles

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

195/50/15 nearside front tyre wearing on both edges

front brake discs starting to pitt

mist of power steering fluid on steering rack (recommend further investigation)

nail in nearside rear tyre

offside wing mirror loose

oil leaks

Pass 3 Jul 2010 83,798 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2010 83,779 miles

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Pass 18 Jul 2009 80,224 miles

Front number plate cracked

Nearside front wheel binding

Nearside front tyre wearing inner edge

Nearside rear tyre wearing badly inner edge recommend replacement 195/50/15

exhaust blow centre pipe

Fail 13 Jul 2009 80,205 miles

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

exhaust blow centre pipe

Nearside rear tyre wearing badly inner edge recommend replacement 195/50/15

Front number plate cracked

Nearside front tyre wearing inner edge

Nearside front wheel binding

Pass 12 Jul 2008 75,504 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 9 Jul 2008 75,502 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

offside front brake slightly binding

Fail 13 Jun 2008 75,488 miles

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

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 5 Jun 2007 70,162 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Fail 4 Jun 2007 70,162 miles

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

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

offside front tyre wearing on inner edge

Pass 16 Jun 2006 63,069 miles

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

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

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

rear outer body sills corroded

Fail 15 Jun 2006 63,069 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

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

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Exaust vibrating.?

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

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

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

Rear outer body sills weak and corroding.

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

R485 MSP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 34 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.9%.

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 R485 MSP, 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 R485 MSP?

You can check the full history of R485 MSP by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R485 MSP registered?

R485 MSP is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 22 October 1997.

Is R485 MSP safe to buy?

The MOT history for R485 MSP shows 34 tests with a 55.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R485 MSP 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 R485 MSP. 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.