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R494 GEJ

1997 Mazda MX-5

Green Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires17 Jun 2026
Tests22 (16 pass, 6 fail)
Pass rate72.7%

Mileage

99,801 mi
Last recorded99,801 miles
Recorded on18 Jun 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
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR494 GEJ
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

16 pass 6 fail
Pass 18 Jun 2025 99,801 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2025 99,801 miles

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

Offside Integral body structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced Integral vehicle structure - O/SD floor area. (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded Front to rear. ()

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

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 18 Jun 2021 99,685 miles

Offside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis leg damaged and slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 18 Jun 2021 99,685 miles

Emissions not tested Exhaust leak and significant coolant leak (8.2.1.2 (d))

Front Fluid leak harmful to the environment or a risk to other road users Coolant leak (8.4.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis leg damaged and slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly loose (3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Jul 2019 99,542 miles
Pass 10 Jul 2018 99,359 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2018 99,340 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 default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Pass 29 Dec 2016 99,016 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2015 98,727 miles
Pass 26 Nov 2014 98,615 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2013 98,429 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2012 98,253 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2012 98,252 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 17 Nov 2011 98,041 miles
Pass 22 Nov 2010 97,821 miles
Fail 18 Nov 2010 97,808 miles

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

Pass 9 Dec 2009 96,227 miles

front brake pads appear to be low

Pass 9 Dec 2008 91,692 miles

Nearside Inner Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Inner Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 8 Dec 2008 91,682 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Inner Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Inner Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 6 Dec 2007 86,366 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2006 79,204 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Nov 2005 72,246 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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R494 GEJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Green with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.7%.

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 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 R494 GEJ, 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 R494 GEJ?

You can check the full history of R494 GEJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R494 GEJ registered?

R494 GEJ is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 22 August 1997.

Is R494 GEJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R494 GEJ shows 22 tests with a 72.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R494 GEJ 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 R494 GEJ. 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.