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R496 NRX

1997 Mazda MX-5

Black Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires6 Aug 2027
Tests28 (18 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate64.3%

Mileage

147,471 mi
Last recorded147,471 miles
Recorded on7 Aug 2026
Typical for 1997 Mazda MX-585,711 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Mazda
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR496 NRX
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

18 pass 10 fail
Pass 7 Aug 2026 147,471 miles

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

Fail 27 Jul 2026 147,467 miles

Brake pipe leaking on an air braking system front to rear (1.1.11 (b) (i))

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 12 Sep 2024 146,728 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2023 146,031 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2022 145,444 miles
Pass 24 Sep 2021 144,450 miles

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Fail 23 Sep 2021 144,448 miles

Offside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

Pass 1 Oct 2020 143,777 miles
Pass 4 Oct 2019 143,355 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2018 141,665 miles
Pass 31 Aug 2017 139,176 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2017 139,170 miles

Front Tyre(s) incorrect because different size tyres are fitted on the same axle. (4.1.A.1a)

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

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

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre

Pass 5 Aug 2016 137,960 miles
Fail 2 Aug 2016 137,960 miles

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

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings wheel arch (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear registration plate delaminated (6.3.1d)

Pass 5 Aug 2015 136,501 miles

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

Fail 4 Aug 2015 136,495 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

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

Pass 21 Jul 2014 132,316 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2014 132,316 miles

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nail in offside rear tyre

Pass 29 Jul 2013 124,782 miles

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak

center stop light not working

Fail 26 Jul 2013 124,778 miles

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Rear Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Oil leak

center stop light not working

Pass 19 Jul 2012 119,174 miles

engine oil leaks

offside front brake disc pitted /corroded.

Fail 18 Jul 2012 119,174 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

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

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

engine oil leaks

offside front brake disc pitted /corroded.

Pass 21 Jul 2011 113,398 miles
Fail 23 Jun 2011 113,375 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion (6.1.C.1)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Pass 11 Jan 2010 111,264 miles

Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

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

Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 21 Nov 2008 110,331 miles

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

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 20 Nov 2008 110,328 miles

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

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

brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 26 Jun 2007 110,309 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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R496 NRX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Black with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.3%.

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 R496 NRX, 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 R496 NRX?

You can check the full history of R496 NRX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R496 NRX registered?

R496 NRX is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 10 October 1997.

Is R496 NRX safe to buy?

The MOT history for R496 NRX shows 28 tests with a 64.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R496 NRX 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 R496 NRX. 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.