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R543 FGH

1997 Mazda MX-5

Silver Petrol 1840cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Jan 2027
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

219,268 mi
Last recorded219,268 miles
Recorded on15 Jan 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

RegistrationR543 FGH
MakeMazda
ModelMX-5
Year1997
ColourSilver
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 11 fail
Pass 15 Jan 2026 219,268 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2024 217,921 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jul 2024 217,921 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

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

Pass 14 Feb 2023 217,074 miles

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

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

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

Fail 13 Feb 2023 217,074 miles

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

Offside Front Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Offside Front Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Jan 2022 215,042 miles

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Inner sill corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 21 Jan 2021 213,375 miles

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

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all main beam headlamps Switch must be held in flash position to illuminate main beam (4.1.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Fail 19 Jan 2021 213,375 miles

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all main beam headlamps Switch must be held in flash position to illuminate main beam (4.1.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 20 Jul 2019 209,614 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Blow from damage to centre silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all main beam headlamps Dip switch must be held in the flash position to illuminate main beam (4.1.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material At junction with flexible brake hose (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 18 Jun 2019 209,554 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Integral body structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced Outer sill/lower rear wing panel (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases Blow from damage to centre silencer (6.1.2 (a))

Headlamp switch does not immediately illuminate all main beam headlamps Dip switch must be held in the flash position to illuminate main beam (4.1.3 (a))

Nearside Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure is fractured but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer sill/lower rear wing panel (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material At junction with flexible brake hose (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 6 Jul 2018 201,886 miles

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

Fail 18 Jun 2018 201,886 miles

Front Headlamp not working on main beam both (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill hole in (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 21 Jun 2017 189,520 miles

Oil leak ()

Pass 31 May 2016 167,036 miles

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

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

oil leaks

Fail 31 May 2016 167,036 miles

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

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

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

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

oil leaks

Pass 9 Jun 2015 154,939 miles

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

both rear tyres wearing smooth on inner edges

Fail 9 Jun 2015 154,939 miles

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

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

Offside Front Road wheel with a slightly distorted bead rim (4.2.A.1a)

both rear tyres wearing smooth on inner edges

Pass 1 Jul 2014 142,763 miles
Pass 12 Jun 2013 127,388 miles
Pass 18 Jun 2012 117,019 miles

All tyre sidewalls perished slightly

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

Oil leak

offside front shock absorber body corroded

Fail 7 Sep 2010 116,983 miles

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

Offside Obligatory mirror insecure (8.1.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Sep 2009 113,661 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Hand brake lever high but has reserve travel

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

Oil leak

Pass 19 Sep 2008 110,431 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2008 110,431 miles

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Rear Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

Pass 24 Sep 2007 99,893 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2007 99,893 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

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

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

Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

handbrake travels high

n/s/r and o/s/r outer sills corroded

Pass 20 Sep 2006 84,765 miles

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

rear brake discs starting to corroded

Fail 20 Sep 2006 84,765 miles

Nearside Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Offside Front Road wheel slightly damaged (4.2.A.1a)

rear brake discs starting to corroded

Pass 23 Jun 2005 67,279 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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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.

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R543 FGH is a 1997 Mazda MX-5 in Silver with a 1,840cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

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 R543 FGH, 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 R543 FGH?

You can check the full history of R543 FGH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R543 FGH registered?

R543 FGH is a 1997 Mazda MX-5, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R543 FGH safe to buy?

The MOT history for R543 FGH shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R543 FGH 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 R543 FGH. 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.